nmah6495.xml

nmah6495.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-04-09

As a New Yorker, growing up on Staten Island was a childhood of incredible memories and great experiences. I grew up on Staten Island my whole life, and was very active in exploring my city. By the time I left for college, it was early 2001, and I was to attend the University of Tampa. My room mate was a boy from the Dominican Republic, and early one morning I awoke to him telling me that a bomb went off at the World Trade Center. I quickly got out of bed and went to another room and watched the T.V, when I soon realized that it wasn't a bomb, it was an attack. I watched the television all day, and I will never forget the pain that I felt.

In one word, PATRIOTISM. My love for the United States elevated because of the attack, and never in my life had I witnessed a country unite as we did. It reminded me of how the colonies pulled together after the English Red Coats occupied Boston. It reminded me of how the North came together as Confederate troops invaded Fort Sumter. Its funny, but prior to 911, New Yorkers would often call the people of Alabama or South Carolina "hicks". And they would in turn call us "yankees". There was such a division of culture in each of our states. After that day, it shocked me how people from all over the country came to New York. EMT workers from Idaho came, Fire fighters from New Jersey came. We no longer were New Yorkers or New Jerseyites or Floridians. WE ALL BECAME AMERICANS.

911 was a day that changed the face of our country. What needs to be remembered is how the country pulled together on that day and the weeks following it. Never in my lifetime have I witnessed a surge of patriotic spirit. Now that the horror and pain has eased, we must always remember how families, friends, and foes pulled together.

To this day, on my car there is still an American Flag, and in my room there is also a large flag. To Americans over the past 300 years, the American Flag has come to symbolize a patriotic feeling. It is sad how especially in times of chrisis, the flag is looked upon for comfort, pride, and unity. Before 911, I was just a New Yorker with all my problems and life experiences, but after I became an American. From that day forward, the falg will always be flown, and I will do it with pride.