story6521.xml

story6521.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

September 11th
It?s amazing how an ordinary day can turn into something that changes lives forever. September 11th, 2001 is one of those days. One of those days where you can remember exactly where you were and what you were doing. I was studying American History in Mrs. Nugent?s second period class. In the middle of the class, another teacher came in and whispered something in Mrs. Nugent?s ear. She finished her sentence, then told us that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. She turned on the tv and that?s all we did for the remainder of the period was watch the news report. At first, it really wasn?t a big deal. But then the second plane hit and we got a little worried. The next class I had did not have the tv on, so I didn?t know what happened next. After that period, my best friend Natalie came and told me that the towers had collapsed. I couldn?t believe it.
All through the rest of the school day, we had the tv?s on. In some classes, we didn?t do the lesson plan; we watched tv. My mom picked me up that day. She had the radio on. All day long the radio had news on; no music at all. We went home and saw it on the tv. I had a doctor?s appointment that night, which still happened. However, my dance classes were canceled. I had a play rehearsal with a lot of young kids, and all the kids were nervous and worried.
It still looks like a scene from a horror movie. I can?t believe it actually happened. I think this affects me a lot because in July of 2001, I and another member of my church youth group went to New York City. We saw the World Trade Center. We almost went up in it, too, but we ran short on time. I have pictures and other souvenirs with the WTC on them. It still shocks me when I see the footage and know they?re not standing anymore. It?s very hard for me and the other girl to control our emotions now. She was so upset by it that she slpet in her parent?s bed with them and just cried. Also, we were a bit worried about a war starting. My brother is 18, and we thought he might have to be called in for the draft.
I kept thinking, ?Who did this?? I couldn?t believe someone would purposely do this. But, in a way, it was like a wake-up call that we needed. Our country is so much more united and proud now than ever before. We don?t take things for granted. The terrorists wanted to change America, and they succeeded. You know this when you see all the American Flags flying.
I am not afraid of New York City. I want to go live there someday. And I have never been so proud to say I?m an American, and I will not forget.
by Erin Wilson