story5367.xml

story5367.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

On Sept. 11, 2001, I sat in my livingroom, watching the Today show, like every other day of my life. Then, Matt came on the screen and announced that an airplane had crashed into the World Trade Center. I was shocked, and initially I thought something must have been terribly wrong with the pilot, and his crew couldn't stop the plane in time. It wasn't long later that the announcement of the second plane, then the Pentagon, then Flight 93 all came across the television. I immediately called my mom, and told her to turn on the television. When she asked me why, I told her something terrible was happening to our country, and she needed to turn on the television right away.

One year later, I am torn by how I should be feeling. I am thankful to the passengers and crew of Flight 93, for their courage, yet I am sorrowful for their friends and family. I am grateful that our country has come together and has a renewed sense of pride, but I am embarrassed that it took such a tragic event for us to realize what an amazing nation in which we all live. I long for peace, yet I wish America could find Bin Laden and do to him what he did to us.

How am I supposed to feel? I didn't know anyone who worked in the towers, or in the Pentagon, or anyone on board any of the four flights, yet I have shed tears for each of them. I've never been to New York, yet my heart aches when I think of the devastation inflicted upon the city.

May we never have to survive another tragedy such as this to be reminded of the heroic acts of everyday people. May we always remember this day with not only saddness, but also the pride of being an American. May God embrace every person lost, injured, or otherwise affected by this unthinkable act of terrorism. May each and every one of us who are lucky enough to live in this great country live our lives with peace, love, and forgiveness. And may God bless America today and everyday.