nmah1248.xml

nmah1248.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-05

It was a beyond regular day. Everything seemed normal and routine. As usual I found myself to be a somewhat lifeless zombie that morning as I went to school... more so than usual for the night before I blew out 15 candles on my cake in celebration of my birthday. First hour was usual and I was actually excited to head off to Science with my teacher Mr. Christopherson. I can still remember everything about those few moments that changed histroy so very well. About mid hour, our principal took our teacher out of the classroom. As soon as he entered back into the class, we I could tell that something was out of place. In a sullun voice he explained to us what he had been told; that the WORLD TRADE CENTER TOWER 1 had become a victim of terrorist acts and that we, America, were under attack. I couldn't handle it, at first I thought it was some type of emergency testing drill. He then turned on the television and more dtails began to flood us as we all watched in utter shock as WORLD TRADE CENTER TOWER 2 was hit. Misty tears began to cloud my vision and I wanted to desperately crawl into a corner and disappear. The people next to me tried to say that "this doesn't affect us at all." But they were completely wrong... this situation was affecting America, and I am an American.

My life has dramatically changed in some ways and very little in others. I keep myself more informed and I have stopped being the nieve girl I once was; the girl that thought war was something that went on in lands far, far away and that America was too strong to ever even be challenged. Now I know just how much hatred is in the world. Security is by far more precatious because of this one major incident and that has an affect on all of us. (A fork can be considered a weapon.) Evil, suspicious looks haunt me everywhere. In some ways, I am thankful for the destruction I saw and the realizations that I came to, because I now support America more then I ever did before. When i put my hand over my heart I do it with pride and respect now more then before. I take in my country and love her with all of my heart.

Buildings can be reconstructed on solid ground again, planes can be rebuilt and city sidewalks can be swept clean of the debris from 9/1, but the human lives that were took that day may not be as easily rebuilt or swept away. People are more precious then any foundation. I beleive that not only the people who died in the Towers should be remembered, but also those in the planes, who unwillingly had to take part in the terrorism of their Nation, and the countless people who died trying to save their fellow country-men from further injury. Remembering them will keep them among us.

We have much flag memorabilia, but no flag... YET. Eventually we hope to put up a flagpole in our garden, but as far as my feelings go on the flag itself, I have more respect for it now then ever before. The flag is the patriotic symbol of our Nation which lets us and our enemies know we are still there... fighting back. It symbolizes peace, equality, freedom, and justice.