In about 8 hours and 32 minutes we will mark the ten year anniversary of the day that every American's life changed.
I can tell you where I was and what I was doing for every moment of September 11, 2001. 9/11 is my Pearl Harbor, my Gettysburg, my "Shot Heard 'Round the World" as it is for my parents, siblings, husband, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and co-workers. It was the moment that changed what it meant to be an American.
At 8:46 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 a plane deliberately flew in to the North Tower of the World Trade Center complex. At 8:46, I was seated with my friends in Sophomore History at Fairborn High School learning about the states and their capitals, we were filling in a map.
At 9:02 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 a second plane deliberately flew in to the South Tower of the World Trade Center Complex. At 9:02 am, I was still seated with my friends in Sophomore History filling in a map with the states and capitals - unaware of the events that were unfolding in New York City.
At 9:04 am our principal came over the intercom of our high school and urged teachers to turn on their television to ABC news because we were going to be "witnessing history in the making." Our teacher turned on the television and we watched as the towers burned...and we watched as they replayed the footage of the second plane slamming in to the South Tower of the World Trade Center Complex.
At 9:10 am every student was moving fast to their third period class. I was heading to Chemistry and Society.
At 9:37 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 a plane deliberately flew in to the side of the Pentagon - the headquarters of our military. The action of the plane flying into a military establishment marked a clear declaration of war against the United States of America.
At 9:42 am, ABC news reported that a plane had flown in to the Pentagon. I was working on a lab - the volume was off on our television in class and I had not looked up, yet.
At 9:53 am, I looked up at the television and shouted out, "The Pentagon is on fire." The volume on the television was turned up.
At 9:59 am, on September 11, 2001, one minute before the bell to change classes, the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed. It was the first time I had seen a building pancake one floor on top of the other.
At 10:00 am, there almost no noise in the hallways as we moved to fourth period. I was heading to health class.
At 10:03 am, on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, a brave group of American Civilians took it in to their own hands to stop a group of hijackers from deliberately flying a plane in to their next target. Flight 93 crashed in a field in rural Pennsylvania.
From 10:04-10:27 am, on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, we sat and listened to our health teacher give us a "teachable moment." He asked us how we were feeling...about how many of us had parents who were currently working on their Air Force Base, I was one of them. We watched groups of people form circles and hold hands as they jumped out of the one building that was left standing, the final choice they could make in their lives.
At 10:28 am, on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, we sat in stunned silence - tears in most of our eyes or rolling down our cheeks - as the North Tower of the World Trade Center Complex collapsed.
Our day ended in fourth period. We were sent home. Many of us waiting for our parents to be released from Wright Patterson Air Force Base.
In Dayton, Ohio two jets cleared air space for Air Force One - causing a sonic boom which led to a mistaken report that Wright Patterson Air Force Base was being attacked.
I will never forget what I saw that day, just as those who saw Pearl Harbor will never forget December 7, 1941. My life changed.
To those of you that think there is something wrong with me for trying to see the good in every person - this was my change. I decided to keep my heart open, to see those things that people are afraid to share because they do not want to look weak. We are Americans and the one thing we have always stood for is Freedom. The Freedom to choose our own paths in life and the Liberty to fight for what we know is right.
Remember what we stand for. Remember those people who are no longer with us. Remember those who have died to stop those trying to take away our way of life - those who have fought to show them they did not beat us that day. Remember those who are still fighting for that. Remember who you were...and remember how you've changed. Do not remember September 11, 2001 as the day that the United States was attacked...remember it as the day that the United States once again stood up and said that we are a Free and Independent Nation. We are a nation built by the People and for the People. We will not fall and we will not fail, but we will fight.
9-11-01: We Will Never Forget.
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