nmah1940.xml

nmah1940.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-09

As we all know, on September 11, 2001, the twin towers were both struck by hijacked planes. They both fell and are now gone forever. The Pentagon was also hit, and another plane crashed in Pennsylvania. I was 14 years old and a freshmen in high school at the time.
The day started out just like any other. I went to art class and then geometry. However, when I arrived in History class I would learn something that would change American forever. I walked into History and the television was already turned onto the news. I remember thinking "Why are we watching tv?" I saw that one of the twin towers was on fire. I thought, what is this about? My teacher informed us that the tower was hit by a plane. She wasn't sure of what exactly had happened. But then we saw the second plane hit. We thought, could this be a terroristic attack? No one wanted to think that, but it was reality. Everyone watched at the news told us more about what was happening. We all wanted to stay and watch but we were forced to go to our next classes, for me English. I remember in the hall ways everyone was talking about it. Students were telling other students what they heard. In English, they made us turn off the televisions. I thought about my Aunt who was currently in France. Could she have been on one of the planes? Everyone wanted to watch, but the teachers told us that we couldn't. The rest of the day was different. Kids wanted to know what was going on. I finally arrived home after a day that seemed to last forever.
My parents were already sent home from work. My mom informed me on what went on, and that both of the towers had fell. Later on that night, another building fell.
I wondered why someone would want to kill all of these innocent people. I couldn't, and still can't understand it.

Yes, my life has been changed. Although I have not experienced any deaths in my family, my life seems different. I recently traveled on an airplane. I had to arrive at the airport earlier than usual. I had to go through metal detectors, and if it went off I would have had to take off my shoes to they could be checked. I witnessed many people that had to take their shoes off because of the suspicion of a bomb. When I was on the airplane, I had the suspicion that maybe my plane was going to be hijacked and my life would then be over, just like all of the innocent victims on September 11.

I think everyone should remember all of the firefighters and police officers that risked their lives to help other people. They are truly heros. They didn't have to, but they did. Also, the innocent victims should all be remembered. Their day started out just like any other with going to work, but they would never return. Not only the World Trade Center victims, but also those in the Pentagon. A lot of people died, and none should be forgotten.

My feelings about the American flag has changed. Before September 11, I just thought of the flag as a thing. Now I see the significance in it. It represents our country and freedom. I respect it more, and I think a lot of other people do also.