I Remember…
Eight years ago today terrorist hijacked commercial airliners and crashed them into the World Trade Centerand the Pentagon while another was poised for Washington. September 11, 2001 suddenly became a date emblazoned in the minds of Americans. A horrific event that we watched unfold before the cameras of the 24 hour news cycle.
I was in High School then. I had a doctor’s appointment that morning and was late to school. I heard on the radio that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers, at that time it was assumed that it was a horrible accident. When I got to school, Bible class (I went to a small private Christian school) had already begun and I told the class what I had heard on the radio. The teacher turned on the TV and just then the second plane came flying across the screen and struck the second tower. At that moment my heart sank as I realized that this was not an accident but a deliberate act, I remember thinking “My God, we’re under attack!” We continued watching the news and heard unconfirmed reports that the Pentagon had been hit. These reports were soon proven true. It was surreal. How could this happen in America? Suddenly rumors were flying. What other attacks were underway? Was the President safe?
As I left school I remember looking up into the sky, it had been reported earlier that all air traffic had been grounded. Not since the early days of flight had their been a time where you could look to the sky knowing there were no planes flying high above. It was another surreal moment. When I got home I turned on the TV, every channel was airing coverage. MTV had switched to a live news feed. The entire country was focused on this one event. Over the coming days and weeks a sense of patriotism not seen in recent history swept the nation. The best of America shined through, from the bravery of the police and firefighters to the newly restored pride in being an Americans again. No matter who may attack us we were strong, we ARE strong.
Right now as we debate politics let us not forget that brief time when there were no Democrats or Republicans, no rich or poor, no black or white, a time when we are all just Americans! I am proud to be an American!
