nmah1485.xml

nmah1485.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-07

I was working at Melrose High School in Melrose Massachusetts. And one of the students that I have in one of my classes came up to me and said "A plane just hit the World Trade Center in New York!" at first I didn't believe him because he had always been a joker in the classes that I had with him. So naturally I shrugged it off. But, he continued to pester me into turning on the T.V. in the resource center's presentation room. So to humor him I did so. And to my shock he wasn't lying! The World Trade Center had really been hit. In reaction I drew silent and fear came over me. I couldn't speak. I just watched as the moments of time had begun to stand still around me. Nothing could have prepaired me for what I was seeing on the screen. It felt so surreal, false, as if this was some cruel joke played by some network producer to make a quick rating hike.

The room which I was in filled with students, faculty, staff and anyone who was walking by and had yet to hear the news was standing around me. The room was silent no words were spoken, no questions had been asked from all those who were standing in that room.

The school soon calapsed. Classes were haulted, students were glued to the T.V., radio, internet, whatever they could get more information of the event that changed so many lives that day. Those who could not stand to watch or hear or think about the event left school. Students were dismissed left and right in fear that something was going to happen to them and their families. Students asked "why?", "Is that real?". I couldn't answer the first question but I could answer the latter. YES! It was real. Yes, it was happening. Yes, it was something to fear!

I remembered my friends, my family, my students.

How can you explain something like this to your family, friends, and students who's only thoughts where of why? I couldn't. I still can't answer that question. I could feel my inner most soul being ripped from the core of my heart. As I fight tears to support my family, my friends and my students who's lives had been turned upside down. Nothing and I mean nothing can ever take that feeling away. I still feel it. I still know that when I hear or see something about it I still have to fight the tears that flow from my soul.

Because of these events, these feelings that are inside me have made it so I can no longer stand aside and watch as the world around us falturs. I stand strong with grace and dignity that makes me who I am. I am an AMERICAN. I am a part of this country, this land, this government and it's pledge of liberty, justice, and peace. Because September 11, 2001 has caused a scar apon my heart which is a reminder to what has happened and to what will not and can not happen again. I must stand strong for myself and for those who can not stand. I must stand and never faluter because I am an American. My blood flows with red, white and blue, for honor, purity and valor because I am an American.

I think it all should be remembered as it was. Nothing should be changed, erased, or altered.

I did fly the American flag after the events of September 11th. my feeling about the American flag have not changed. It still stands for what it has always stood for, but now it's more obviouse to us that it stand for that reason. why it must stand still.