nmah6548.xml

nmah6548.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-06-27

I was only in the 9th grade at the time. I remember it was right after lunch at around 11 a.m., my teacher came in and said that the world trade center had been struck by a plane, but everyone was OK. Later that afternoon an announcement came over the intercom that my soccer game had been canceled. I called my mother and father steaming mad that my game had been canceled. I couldn't get a hold of my mother right away, but when my dad picked up he said, "Nicole, I think World War 3 just started!" I remember, I dropped the phone in a state of shock. I ran into my school's main office where they were showing pictures of what had taken place. I just sat there with tears in my eyes woundering why my teacher never told us the truth.

My life has changed since September 11th. I never really was strongly patriotic. But since then I have learned to respect the colors. Some of my family members knew people who were killed in the attack and my mothers vic president was Tom Burnett, one of the men who fought the terriost on flight 93. My cousin got married 6 months after in New York and their priest was suppose to be Chaplain Mychal Judge.

September 11th should be remembered not by the cowardly acts of terrorism by men who had to sacrificed thousands of innocent civilians, but by the courage of the men, woman and children who walked from the rubble, never gave up hope of finding their loved ones and never lost sight of who they really are; Americans!

After September 11th, my house was surrounded by American flags. When I drove by people who had flags on their cars, I would beep and wave. My feelings about the American Flag is that it should be respected. When the national anthem is sung, everyone is to be in complete silence and salute it. When reciting the 'Pledge of Allegence', put one hand over your heart. Never let the flag touch the ground, for it has far to much power for it to ever touch the dirt. And to never look at the flag in disgust, and if you do, then you are not a true American.