nmah6312.xml

nmah6312.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-09-26

On the morning of September 11th, I was in Mr. Burnett's class taking a math test. All of a sudden, the teacher's aid, who had just left a few moments before, came tearing back into the room yelling something about a plane crashing into the world trade center and to turn the television on. The images that began popping up on the screen were unbelievable. At first we thought it was just some freak accident, then we saw another plane crashing into the towers. That's when I first realized this was something more than just an ordinary plane crash, much more. The buildings were on fire when the bell rang, and we all rushed to our next class to watch the news. By the time I arrived, the first tower had already collapsed. My English teacher was trying to explain to us the severity of what was happening, but she still wasn't even sure what was going on. Then reports about Washington D.C. being attacked started broadcasting over the news, and then I became very scared. I remember thinking of all the wars I've learned about and how awful they were, and then thinking "Oh God, this is going to happen to me, in my lifetime.. my friends are going to have to go to war.."

When I went home that day after school, it felt like I was going back to a completely different place than the one I had just left that morning. Because of September 11th, I have been more aware of everything that's been going on. I am also very nervous about my family flying. My brother left on a plane trip to Florida, and I made him call me as soon as he got off the plane.

We are a very strong, united nation, but we should never just depend on that alone. Because of September 11th, we have learned that we can be attacked, that people can hurt us. But we have also learned that in a time of crisis, we can really come together and remain strong, and that we will overcome.

I put a flag sticker on my car after September 11th. And because of that day, I have a lot more respect for the American flag and what it represents. I also give a lot more credit to the men and women that fight to serve and protect our country, risking their lives, on a daily basis.