September 11th, 2001: 10 years ago, ever so present.
So its officially September 12th, but unless you've been hiding under a rock for the last two weeks you would know that yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11.
Everybody has their place. For me, it was my fifth grade English class at THA. I remember it so vividly. We were having class like a normal class day, when Mrs. Tiller, the elementary principal, came in and whispered something into Mrs. Lesesne's ear. I can still see the look on my teacher's face. It was a look of confusion and insecurity. Being the little kids we were, we all asked what was going on. Mrs. Lesesne wasn't going to tell us, but after us nagging her, she gave in and told us that America had been attacked. Thats my place on September 11th, 2001, a memory forever ingrained into my mind.
Being a elementary student, I couldn't grasp what had actually happened. Over the years, an understanding has come to me about what happened and how it forever affected the USA. Here we are 10 years later. I'm no longer 10, but 20, and no longer a elementary student, but two years away from a college degree. A lot has changed within this decade, but my memory of what happened on 9/11 hasn't. Yesterday was marked with many different ceremonies and newsworthy stories, and I couldn't help but think back to the day.
I can't help to think of the many who were stuck above the point of impact, with no hope. What a horrible feeling to know that you're not going to live til tomorrow. I can't help but think about those who decided to jump from the windows, knowing that was their only way down. I can't but think about the families that were devastated to learn that their loved ones didn't make it out. I can't help but think about those on the planes, who took off that morning in a plane, not knowing they would never touch down at their destinations. While its easy to think about death and sorrow on a day like yesterday, it's also very much important to bring the positive stories out as well.
For instance, I can't help but think of those souls who bravely went up the stairs of the WTC to help those who needed help. I can't help to think of those souls who bravely fought and died by standing up against the terrorists on Flight 93. I can't help but to think of those who, by fate or divine intervention, missed work that day, only to realize that day would change their lives. I can't help but to think of the countless hours put in looking through the rubble for any chance of hope left. I can't help but think of a nation coming together after a tragedy meant to crumble our hope.
10 years ago, and its ever so present. The hurt, the anger, the sadness, but 10 years later those have been replaced by good memories, hope, and a sense of nationalism. May God be with those families who were affected on that awful day. May the 3,000 killed rest in peace.
Everybody has their place. For me, it was my fifth grade English class at THA. I remember it so vividly. We were having class like a normal class day, when Mrs. Tiller, the elementary principal, came in and whispered something into Mrs. Lesesne's ear. I can still see the look on my teacher's face. It was a look of confusion and insecurity. Being the little kids we were, we all asked what was going on. Mrs. Lesesne wasn't going to tell us, but after us nagging her, she gave in and told us that America had been attacked. Thats my place on September 11th, 2001, a memory forever ingrained into my mind.
Being a elementary student, I couldn't grasp what had actually happened. Over the years, an understanding has come to me about what happened and how it forever affected the USA. Here we are 10 years later. I'm no longer 10, but 20, and no longer a elementary student, but two years away from a college degree. A lot has changed within this decade, but my memory of what happened on 9/11 hasn't. Yesterday was marked with many different ceremonies and newsworthy stories, and I couldn't help but think back to the day.
I can't help to think of the many who were stuck above the point of impact, with no hope. What a horrible feeling to know that you're not going to live til tomorrow. I can't help but think about those who decided to jump from the windows, knowing that was their only way down. I can't but think about the families that were devastated to learn that their loved ones didn't make it out. I can't help but think about those on the planes, who took off that morning in a plane, not knowing they would never touch down at their destinations. While its easy to think about death and sorrow on a day like yesterday, it's also very much important to bring the positive stories out as well.
For instance, I can't help but think of those souls who bravely went up the stairs of the WTC to help those who needed help. I can't help to think of those souls who bravely fought and died by standing up against the terrorists on Flight 93. I can't help but to think of those who, by fate or divine intervention, missed work that day, only to realize that day would change their lives. I can't help but to think of the countless hours put in looking through the rubble for any chance of hope left. I can't help but think of a nation coming together after a tragedy meant to crumble our hope.
10 years ago, and its ever so present. The hurt, the anger, the sadness, but 10 years later those have been replaced by good memories, hope, and a sense of nationalism. May God be with those families who were affected on that awful day. May the 3,000 killed rest in peace.
“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. “
-President George W. Bush, November 11th, 2001.
One last phone call...
Lest We Never Forget
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