nmah6235.xml

nmah6235.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-09-12

I know right where I was when I heard the news. The very first thing I thought was, "Oh my God, I hope my Dad isn't at the Pentagon now." Even though he rarely went there for his job, it was the first thing I thought of. These attacks really did hit everyone personally. Nobody in my chemistry class, where I was at the time, really understood enough about what was happening because our teacher didn't explain it too well, so we would not worry. Other teachers, however, knew and told more to their students. I can remember hearing people crying because so many family members of people in this area work in the Pentagon. I remember one girl who ran out of her class as fast as she could down the hall to find a phone. It was really terrifying because we knew so little. When I got to go home after school, I remember on the bus we all commented on how there were no planes in the sky. My mom gave me a huge hug and kiss when I made it to my house. We couln't reach my dad or my brother because the phone lines were all tied up. By the end of the day though, I knew all my loved ones were safe.

It has changed because I look at things differently. I worry about flying and that used to be one of my favorite things to do. I have not flown since 9/11. I try to make life count more and make sure the people I love and care about know that they are special to me. It made me think about what I wanted to do with my life. Even though I was only 15 at the time, I wanted to go to Ground Zero and help do something.

I think that 9/11 should be remembered as a terrible tragedy that brought our nation together. The love everyone felt afterwards and the bonds of freindship that were made will be remembered forever. We should not ever forget the people who died, all of them are important including the innocents on the plane, the workers in the towers and Pentagon, and the caring firefighters and police officers helping out during the chaos.

Yes, I did. My whole neighborhood did. Someone came around and stuck little American flags in everyone's yard. I could not count teh number of flags I saw just on my street. Some houses had as many as 3 or 4 flags. I did not fully understand the importance or symbolisim a flag has for a nation before 9/11. Now i realize that it is a symbol of unity and devotion to our country. It is a very powerful image.