It’s hard to believe that “9/11″ was seven years ago. It seems to have been both recent and yet incredibly long ago at the same time. Looking back on such a horrible tragedy it’s hard to remain positive, but as a country we’ve done our best to step forward with new insight and band together to achieve common goals…for the most part.
I didn’t even remember what today was until an email went out at work about it. As soon as I read it I felt bad for having not known what today was when I first woke up. But maybe that’s a good thing. It’s okay to not hold onto these things and keep them at the forefront of your mind at all times. How long after the Pearl Harbor attack was it before people stopped waking up on December 7th and instantly feel sorrow for our lost men and women in uniform? I doubt anyone alive back then has forgotten those events, but they’ve moved forward with their lives and respectfully set aside those memories to be honored occasionally, but not dwelled upon. I feel the same way about 9/11.
I remember when it happened. I was a junior in high school, going through classes as usual when an announcement came over the PA system. The principal vaguely stated that our nation was in a state of crisis and that we needed to have a moment of silence for the people we’ve lost. Nobody had any idea what was going on. We all stared at each other as if to say “what is she talking about?” I went to lunch shortly after that and immediately went up to the school library. I was friendly with the librarians and knew there was a TV in the back room, so I went right in and they were all huddled around it watching the news. I can still recall seeing the constantly repeating video of the first plane hitting the first tower. It was devastating to realize that not only had it really happened, but it was an intentional act of violence, not some horrible accident like everyone was secretly hoping.
The rest of the day is pretty much a blur, but as a young teenager I don’t think I really grasped what was happening, and how many drastic changes would be occuring over the coming years. I do remember being very upset that the TV shows I normally watched after school were all being preempted by news reports and interviews of officials about the day’s events. People were dying, and I was upset that I couldn’t watch Jeopardy.
Looking back on it all now it’s still very sad. It always will be. I can only hope that most of the people who died were killed instantly and taken to a better place, not left in agony for days buried under rubble. I can’t imagine the fear and utter lack of will to live that some of those people must have endured while they waited to see if anyone would ever find them. I hope I never have to experience that kind of situation.
On this day more than any other, my heart goes out to those who survived and those who lost family and friends on September 11th, 2001. I’m sure that God is watching them, and I hope they can take comfort in that.
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Glad that you wrote this. It amazes me how many people take this day for granted. I held a candle today and remembered that freedom isn’t free, and many in the world would love to destroy what we have and our freedoms.
This is a sad day. I was only in the 4th grade and all I really remember is everyone leaving. I, of course, did not get leave.
Remember the day that innocent people died at the hands of a group of people that say they did it for God and a holly war. It is sad in this day and age that people like this exists. You would think, living in the USA that people like this just don’t exists but that is turning a blind eye to what is going on around the world. And lets not forget the booming of the Murrah building in Oklahoma City(my sister was a few blocks away), by one of our own. “Hate and Evil exist” and I am glad to live in a country that has keep us safer then most of the nations of the world. I thank all who serve to protect our great nation and feel awed at the sacrifice they make. We should never forget those who risked/gave all to give and maintain the freedom we enjoy.
I am a person that is grateful to be an American and to live in this great nation. I say this first because I wonder why there are so few comments about what happened in New York on September 11, 2001. Are we thinking that if we ignore it it will go away, how sad. Are we intimidated that there is something wrong with talking about 911? That (lesser) people will think poorly of us?
I love my country with all her faults and wish others could do the same. Now that I have said that you can tell that I think that my way of thinking is right and others need to straighten up. Now the other half of that is, that what makes us a great nation is the freedom to think differently and to speak out about it.
Never forget that on 9.11.01 a group of people who think that murdering the innocent is an act of war, when it is only the act of a coward. We need to realize that this kind of murder is going on all over the world and those responsible should be stopped. If you do not stop evil it will grow, check history and you will see it to be a fact.
Thank you Kelsey for saying that evil will grow if you do not stop it. There are some that believe you can reason with evil, teach or pacify evil and if worse comes to worse negotiate with evil. Evil must be addressed and eliminated. We can not let time and distance from the event allow our resolve to lessen but we must be determined to continue on until the evil is exposed and dealt with. I am normally a compassionate person that exhibits grace but grace is lost on evil, evil doesn’t want it and will not respond to it. Evil has an appetite and is alway hungry looking for a meal and attached to evil is ignorance and rage resulting in violence. Let us not forget the lesson of 9-11 and continue on the course to bring all those responsible and those that shield them to justice. Thank you Dean for posting this. I too remember where I was I remember watching the second plane hit the second tower and I remember the brief pictures shown of those jumping to their death because the flames were so hot. I remember seeing the camera men running for their lives and leaving their cameras on as they ran when the buildings collapsed killing so many. My sister Tricia said that jet fuel burns so hot that it did not surprise her that the building gave way. I will never forget the desperation on the faces of those looking for their family that day and for several days after that it was heart breaking. Nor will I ever forget the video clips from our enemies that showed them celebrating in the streets of their country because our friends, family, the young and the old alike were needlessly killed. They shouted and celebrated their ignorance and hatred. You may ask what we did to earn their hatred and I will tell you they hate us because we exist.