Where were you? How did you find out? How much did it affect you, if at all? Is there anything else you want to say about it?I was a senior in high school. I arrived at school that morning unaware that anything different would happen that day. At my locker before class my friend was telling me she heard that somebody had exploded a bomb in the World Trade Center. I didn't even know what the WTC was at the time and kind of shrugged it off as something minor and the police would catch the guy and all would be well. As I walked to class I hear people muttering in groups about plane crashes and terrorists, but wasn't really paying attention. I got to class and the teacher had the news on and I finally saw what had happened. I think this was just after the second tower had been hit. We watched in shock as the news poured in about the crashes, then the Pentagon attack, seeing the towers fall brought cries from the whole class, hearing about the valiant policemen and firefighters who died in the line of duty, and then the crash in Pennsylvania and the heroic efforts the passengers had gone to to stop the hijackers. We moved like zombies to our classes, but nobody was doing any work, the teachers sat glued to the TVs with us, hardly saying a word. Students were allowed to go home at any time, some crying and terrified or worried about friends and family in the affected areas. After school I went home and sat with my family as we watched the news replay over and over again the horrible events. I think the news was on nonstop for the next few days at my house. It felt like our safe little world had just crashed around us and nobody knew what to do or how to react. And as the shock wore off I remember how it felt like the whole country had united and rallied together in love and compassion and pride. Flags appeared on every lawn, radios were on blaring patriotic songs, and the country mourned together for the loss of innocent lives.
I think it was a wakeup call to me. A reminder that nobody, or country, was invincible, and that there is great evil out there. My prayers will be with the family and friends of all those who lost loved ones in the attack 6 years ago, as well as in the war against terror, and for our brave soldiers (and their families) who fight for our country.
4 comments:
Good post! It is interesting to hear from someone still in school...my only reference to anything happening while I was in school was the Challenger...and I really feel young...I forget I am getting way old...ok, not that old...but old just the same ;) Nice post!!!
It's sad that it took something like this to make us feel patriotic and united. I remember the flags everywhere, too. I had one that flew from my car window.
Thank you for sharing your memories.
What a beautifully written post. It's good to hear the perspective of someone in high school at the time. You did a good job of explaining it...I know you won't ever forget it. None of us ever will.
You are so right: no one is immune anymore. We must live our lives to the fullest.
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