story8473.xml

story8473.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-10-17

We were in science class when we were told. My seventh grade science teacher at the Marlboro Middle School came in and solemnly informed us that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Centers, one into the Pentagon, and one in Pennsylvania. My teacher explained in detail what had happened earlier that morning. He answered all of our questions, so we understood everything. We ended up talking the whole forty-two minute period about the hijacked planes and their final destinations.
I didn't realize, at first, how big of an event this was. I had never heard of the Pentagon, and planes crashed all the time. It wasn't until I got home and saw the news that I started to realize something HUGE had happened. All TV and radio stations were broadcasting the news. Hebrew school was cancelled, and I didn't go to soccer practice. I was home, watching pictures and videos of the horrific images and people's reactions.
At school the next day, and for days after, the American flag flew at half-mast. We had moments of silence for the victims and their families. Throughout the year, I have read numerous stories by people who were personally affected by it. One story was about a girl when, a few years ago, was saved from cancer by a bone marrow transplant. Her donor was a New York firefighter. A couple years and two visits later, he was killed at Ground Zero. Another was about a man who had dedicated the last year to rebuilding the Pentagon, where his son worked and died. I have also heard stories about people who got phone calls from their spouses, telling them that they loved them. They later died trying to take control of the plane. All these stories, pictures, and scenes have touched my life forever.
September 11th has changed my life in many ways. One lesson I have learned is that the worst can sometimes bring out the best in people. The actions of the terrorists brought out American spirit. Proof of that can be seen on cars, houses, and buildings. the American flag can be seen everywhere. The leadership roles taken by the passengers on Flight 93, is also a great example of patriotism.
September 11th has also taught me that life goes on, no matter what. My cousin was born on that fateful day and the horror of his birthday hasn't affected his childhood. He constantly reminds me that we should not dwell on the bad. It is very important to remember and honor the bad things, but it is also important to rejoice in the good.
In the years to come, when students like me study September 11th, as we study the Battle at Gettysburg today, there are some things I want people to remember. I want them to remember the heroic acts of Flight 93. I want people to remember the enormous amount of innocent civilians killed. I want them to remember the stories of people personally affected. I want them to remember the patriotism caused by that fateful morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2OO2.