I noticed yesterday while flipping through the channels between football games that there were very few programs having anything to do with 9/11. This struck me as strange as it seems in the past there were always a bunch of programs leading up to the anniversary. We are 16 years out from that monumental day, a day that was much like this day with bright blue September skies above.

I saw a  smattering of “Never Forget” profile pics etc. on Facebook this morning but the conspicuous absence of news stories and special programming dealing with this fateful date in American history have me wondering if perhaps we, as a nation, are starting to forget. Or is it that we are being conditioned  to forget? I don’t know the answer and I’m not much about conspiracies but I do know that this is a day worth remembering, no matter what your political stripes.

I am a million miles away from where I was in 2001 and I have zero interest in politicizing this day. This is a day nearly 3,000  people lost their lives. It’s a day that caused at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage and a day that forever altered the collective American Psyche. That day changed the world forever and while the immediate aftermath seemed to draw us together as a nation, it feels like part of the consequences of this event include the planting of the seeds for the polarizing journey we’ve embarked upon as a country which has brought us to where we are today. We are divided as a nation (though I don’t believe nearly as much as what the media would have us believe) politically and philosophically with a few small minority groups expressing their views very LOUDLY and  exerting entirely more influence over the majority than they should ever be able to.

I expressed similar sentiments on this blog last year at this time and my feelings remain the same. This is a day that I recall the events of 16 years ago like they happened yesterday. It’s a day I reflect on the journey I’ve been on for these years and a day I mourn the deaths of those who died on that day and also  mourn the losses I’ve experienced personally since 2001.

To me it’s a day to count our blessings as well and to be thankful for everything we have. Our families, our friends, our livelihoods….all of the things that make us who we are.

Draw your loved ones close, hold them tight and celebrate life as you think back to how it felt that day.

I met Peter the first year I was out here when I was working for Montana River Outfitters and I liked him from day one.

Peter and his friend John were a major component of a group which takes over the majority of our lodging every summer at Wolf Creek Angler. If you’ve ever fished anywhere near the second trestle below Wolf Creek Bridge during mid June to early July you’ve likely met both of them.

From their friend Matt who’s been joining them on the Missouri since 1994;

Peter loved to fish the 2nd RR trestle below the Wolf Creek bridge. He would literally stay there for hours on end. John told me a couple of times Peter stayed there all day. He would put in at Wolf Creek, row down to the 2nd trestle, fish all day then row out to California Island at dark to take out.

John and Peter have been coming to fish Montana since 1988, originally to the Big Horn then splitting time between the Horn and the MO’ and finally settling exclusively on the Missouri.

Al, John and Peter on the porch at WCA photo by Matt Hanist

Usually between mid June and early to mid July we play host to an awesome group of anglers from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. They fish hard and they spend evenings on the porch talking about it…..LOUDLY!

I’ve come to consider all of these folks good friends and when I talk about how my favorite part of my job is getting to see the same guests and clients year after year, Peter and the rest of these guys are a major part of what I’m talking about.

Peter passed away last week. He will be missed on the MO’ and on his beloved Delaware.

I’ll miss having him around here at WCA. I’ll miss the ball busting and the laughter and I’ll also miss having him around to man the grill at our annual fourth of July cookout. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.

Rest in peace my friend.