Sunday, September 11, 2011

we shall never forget

Ten years, so much can change in ten years. Some things can change in the blink of an eye. Where have the past ten years gone? It doesn't seem as if it has been ten years.

Ten years ago today I was a high school student. I was sitting in Mrs.Cox's English class. A class I loved very much. I remember someone coming to the door and saying turn the TV on because a plane had crashed into one of the towers of The World Trade Center. Mrs.Cox quickly turned the TV on.

We watched the breaking news for several minutes. I'm not sure exactly how much time had passed, then suddenly we watched on live TV as the second plane crashed into the second tower. I still get chills when I think back on that day and remember the gasps from my fellow classmates. Some cried, some prayed, some sat in silence. I cried. I prayed. To this day it gives me chills.

Soon it was made aware that it was terrorist attacks. Our school was placed on lock down. We sat there and watched as people jumped from the tower's to their death, as they tried so desperately to escape. I remember watching as the first tower fell, then the second. I remember seeing the thousands of people running through the streets, and the fear on their faces. I remember seeing people walking through the street covered in ash and debris. It was like a scene from a movie. It felt so unreal. We heard of the plane crashing into The Pentagon, and the one in the Pennsylvania field.

The next day at school Mrs.Cox asked us to write an essay about the attack. She said that she would choose a few of them to be sent in to be published in the local news paper. I picked up the pen and the words just flew out onto the paper. I had never felt so powerful about writing before. I turned it in when it was due. I was chosen to have it printed in the paper. I still have my original copy, and Mrs.Cox's note & my grade that she wrote at the top of the page. I will post it when I am able to find it. It's somewhere in my closet.  Mrs.Cox has since passed away. She was an outstanding teacher. I will always remember sitting in her class that day. I wish the best for her son.

I will forever remember that day. I will remember how I was afraid. I will remember the images burned into my brain as I watched them on the news. I will remember it as the day America changed. I will remember how America came together as a family in the following weeks, months, even years.

It's a day America will never forget, a day the world will never forget. Our country was changed that September day. Thousands lost their lives that day. Including 343 firefighters and 72 police officers. I pray for their families on this day. I pray that they have found peace with their love one's deaths. I pray for the very best for all of the survivor's and their families. May all the victim's rest in peace. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Visit the memorial page, to plan a visit or make a donation.  http://www.911memorial.org/

1 comment:

  1. This was beautifully written, Jaybee.
    It really doesn't seem like it's been 10 years.
    We will NEVER forget!

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