nmah6372.xml

nmah6372.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-11-25

In Dover, Massachusetts, I remember sitting in my 7th grade science class at about 10 AM, just starting school a few days earlier. My science teacher, Mr. Chaves, was just starting a new lesson when my vice principle, Mr. Nager, walked into the classroom. At first, everyone thought that it was just going to be a little chat between the both of them, but it wasnt. Mr Nager asked if he could borrow the class for a second. Then...he told us. "There's been a series of events that have taken place in the past few hours. Two planes have crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City and another in the Pentagon in Washington." Everyone looked at eachother confused and blown away. He asked if anyone had anyone flying today on any planes. Instantly I remembered my sister was flying to Dallas that morning. "The planes that hit the towers came out of Boston and were headed for Los Angeles" I thanked God. "All the flights in the US airways have been suspended, and ummm, we'll let you know if any more news comes." By this time everyone was talking to eachother in little conversations. Some seemed scared and worried about what was happening, and others were, if you can believe it, cracking jokes about the catastrophy that they knew little about. Throughout the day, our teachers discussed nothing but the events that day. They asked about people's reactions, thoughts, fears, anything that was on people's minds. By the time I got home, and walked in the door, I could see the reactions on my parents' faces. It was a reaction that I has seen too much that day. As I walked into the Den and saw the images for the first time, i choked on my own breath, and said immediately that it was "almost like a movie scene." After that, though, the room remained silent. The only voice heard was the news reporter's, and even himself was taken away by the images no one would ever have dreampt of seeing. We were in America, stuff like this wasn't suppost to happen...but it was a real as anything before. All night I was hooked onto the TV, not able to break away from the same footage that kept repeating and repeating. The following days, there were many hopes and prayers made by me for the victims, surviors, families, and everyone effected by the Sept 11 tradgety. To this day I pray for them and will never stop. That day was like none other. Terrorists set out to change America forever, and they succeeded, but not in the way they intended. They brought this country together closer than ever before.

After Sept. 11, I look at life as a more precious thing than before. Especially immediately after the tradgedy, i began to look more at the trees, the sky, and the loved ones that surround me. One lesson i learned from that horrible day: NEVER TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED.

The victims and families of 9/11 are, in my book, should be the most respected people this world has ever known. The people in those towers, that pentagon, and that pennsylvania field should always be remembered as heros whos lives were lost, but not forgotten. The families should be remembered as strong and powerful people who have dealt with unbelievable pain and anger, and seen their world change forever. I have great respect for all of them and they should never be forgotten.

Yes, my family flew an american flag after 9/11. My feelings have changed for the american flag after the tradgedy. I dont take the pledge of allegiance for granted and i say it every morning with pride and confidence that this country will live on through anything.