Changed by 9/11: Glenn Montes — West Islip Resident

Editor's Note: In order to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Patch will be rolling out special features to honor the people who lost their lives in the attacks. 

The following piece was contributed by resident Glenn Montes, who says the biggest change in his life is his sense of security. 

Before 9/11, I always had a profound sense of the invulnerability and security of America.  I never feared for family’s safety.  I never believed that anyone in the outside world who hated us would ever be able to act upon that hate in any significant way on our own soil.

As I watched those buildings come down on TV while I stood in a deli in Huntington amongst total strangers, I knew then that I had been wrong. What has changed for me most significantly is the constant “what if” that runs through my mind. If I’m on a train I think, “What if a bomb goes off? What do I do?” If I’m in a mall I think, “What if a terrorist starts shooting everyone? What do I do?” If I’m on a trip with my family I think, “What if a major attack happens while I am away from home? What would I do?”

Even if I am at home I think, “What if something even more horrible than 9/11 happens? Am I prepared to protect my family?”

Unfortunately for me the biggest change has been that loss of a sense of security and the onset of a strong desire to always try to be prepared.