nmah3014.xml

nmah3014.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-10

It was sometime between 5 and 6 am, and I was just waking up to go to school. I heard the familiar sounds of morning, with one exception. The News anchor announced that a plane had crashed into one of the twin towers. I didn't think much of it, thinking it was a minor accident, and I continued my way to school. While at school, I began to discuss what I heard with my friends, wondering if they had heard the same thing. We started to walk to the Purple Penguin (school run snack supply store) to purchase cookies. WHen we reached the top, we immediately noticed the television, depicting a building on fire, and right during live coverage of the event, we all watched in horror and disbelief as a second plane crashed into the building. Attending UHS, we all naturally started discussing the effect this would have on the United States, both economically and in terms of moral, not to mention how Bush would handle it. Not knowing at all what was about to occur, we could only begin to immagine the true impact of September 11th.

I think the thing that changed most for people that didn't know anyone directly involved in the attacks was the way we value our citizenship. We were all hit with a wave of patriotism, and whether or not that wave came for the right reasons, one cannot determine, but it did instill in all of us what it means to call yourself American, and the obligations behind it.

The most important thing one can take from an experience as terrible as this is the lessons that come with it. We learned our strengths, and that's what should be remembered, as well as all the people that became a casualty of 9/11, both deceased and living.

I made a point about not flying a flag Septemeber 11th, because too many people were flying it for the wrong reasons. I don't need a flag to show my patriotism, my family and I are very proud to be Americans, and enough people can tell without having to see a 2' x 3' flag flying on our car antenna. Due to September 11th, when I look at our flag, I see all of the different unique people that add luster to the colors and sparks to the stars. I don't think there are many if any countries that can really match our love and pride after the events that happened, but it makes everyone think twice when they sing their national anthem or say the pledge of alligance.