Saturday, September 11, 2010

Never Forgotten

Nine years ago today I was sitting in Mr. Gillespie's Chemistry class taking notes when our principal came over the loudspeaker with an announcement. "America has just experienced a national tragedy of epic proportions, I believe that every one of you should see for yourselves what is going on. Teachers please turn on your TVs at this time." I had no idea what he could possibly be talking about. National tragedy was something I had only heard my parents or teachers or older family members talk about.
Literally seconds after our teacher turned on the TV the second plane hit. I will never forget watching that. I will never forget that day, I can still remember what I wore to school. Freedom isn't free, September 11th was the day that our generation learned that for ourselves. 

Today, nine years later we remember the fallen and we honor the heroes.




"In times like this we realize how weak and inadequate we are, and our greatest need is to turn in repentance and faith to the God of all mercy and the Father of all comfort. If ever there was a time for us to turn to God as a nation, it is now, that this evil will spread no further."
 -Billy Graham, September 11, 2001

2 comments:

  1. Hearing about 9-11 always makes me cry, but it also makes me so proud to be an American.

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  2. I was in high school as well. I was told by a friend between classes and I didn't believe it. We watched the news for the rest of the day.
    I still remember what funny old school G.I. Joe short was played at the end of our schools news broadcast put on by the students. I remember the assignments given, and my neighbor, only 2 years older than me, joining my mother to pick me up from school announcing the beginning of World War III. Praise the Lord that didn't happen.
    I also remember my brother coming home from middle school, believing the planes had attacked Camp David, and President Bush was dead. They hadn't allowed these students to watch tv for fear or scaring them, and so rumors spread like they do with anyone.
    But most of all I remember the sudden expressions of love of our country and each other. Everywhere I looked there were American flags, and people standing proud. Traffic accidents seemed to have decreased as more people yielded to each other. Strangers smiled, and even spoke in line at Starbucks.
    It took a tragedy to bring us together in this way, and while I never want this nor any other tragedy to occur again, I wish that America could find the same oneness and proudness that we felt in the days that followed.

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