story20657.xml

story20657.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2006-09-11

9.11.01. September 11th began as any other ordinary day in Bergen County, NJ. I remember waking up and thinking it was such a beautiful day, the sky was clear, the sun was shining brightly, and i was planning what i would do that afternoon when my sister and i left school. I was 16, a sophomore in high school, and so far that morning was uneventful. I was hanging out watching the news at the beginning of my double chem lab, when all of a sudden smoke and fire filled the screen. No one knew what was happening. "PLANE CRASHES INTO WORLD TRADE CENTER" flashed across the news and every broadcast turned to the Twin Towers. At the time it was believed that the crash was accidental, as chemistry was forgotten and we all focused on the tv. But then I watched in stunned silence and pure horror as the second plane hit the other tower. This was definitely no accident, and you could hear the panic in every newscaster's voice. The panic deepened as i saw-live-the first, then the second tower collapse. I couldnt believe what i was seeing, it was like watching a war movie from a distant country-yet it was unfolding 15 minutes from my home. When i went into the hallway to find my sister, people were running around crying, calling loved ones on their cell phones. I couldnt even get through to my mom, my dad, or my best friend who's father and cousin worked in the city. (I thank GOD everyday that everyone I love is fine). Classes were unofficially suspended and kids were streaming out of the building as we made our way home and up the hills to see the NY skyline. It was the most surreal sight-thick black smoke covering everything, and I can still see the picture in my head as clear as if it was today. I have never prayed so much or so hard in my life. I prayed for the victims, their families, and our country. To this day I still ache when I think about what happened that day, how many lives were destroyed forever. But even more than that, I am honored to have been born in a country where people come together in the face of unspeakable tragedy-where an act of such horrific disregard for human life brings us not to our knees, but makes us stand taller. To all of the FDNY, NYPD, PORT AUTHORITY, HOSPITAL WORKERS, VOLUNTEERS, US ARMED FORCES and CITIZENS across NEW YORK and the NATION-your bravery and dedication is what makes this country strong-and great. GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILIES and LOVED ONES, and most of all, GOD BLESS AMERICA!