Where Were You?
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
I was in fourth grade, ten years old, and had no comprehension of anything that happened. I knew my teacher was crying, I knew school was dismissed early, I knew Mom cried on the way home, but I didn't understand why. I had no idea why it was significant, or why it was different that these planes crashed into these buildings. I remember thinking, "what famous person was on that plane to make it matter so much? Planes crash often, why does this matter?"
I remember it really sinking in in 2011, on the ten year anniversary of September 11, 2001. I was in college, twenty years old, and had found a sense of patriotism that burned red, white, and blue. I had sent cousins to these countries to fight this war, and I believed in the mission 100%. I understood why my teacher cried, why school was dismissed early, and why mom cried. I understood why this was significant. I remember crying as we watched the 10 year anniversary specials, the videos, and the interviews. I was just as angry as I suspect I would have been had I been older in 2001. I was very angry on behalf of my military family and my country. Hearing Lee Greenwood sing "Proud to be an American" live made me hit my knees with tears of pride, and they still well up with tears every time I hear it on the radio.
I understand completely now, at twenty-two years old. I have my stances on the war efforts, the moves that were made, and why we are where we are now; that's another story for another time.
I am proud to be an American. I am proud to live in the United States of America, in good ole Music City, USA. I stand by my country in good, bad, beautiful, and down right ugly. I am thankful for the freedoms we are allotted, and am aware that they are not allowed to all people in our world.
God Bless the USA
I remember this too. I was also only 10 at the time (but in 5th grade) and I was in California so it was a few hours earlier there. I remember just getting out of bed and walking into the living room where my step-dad had the TV on. The first thing I saw was the second plane hitting the WTC tower live. I eventually made it to school later that day where we basically just watched the news all day long. Such a tragic loss. My step-dad's family lived in NY at the time and it was terrifying just not knowing for a while.
ReplyDeleteOh man. I never stopped to think what it might be like for kids who were younger when this all happened. It must have been so scary to see all the grown ups so sad and scared. I was in high school, and when I met the boy I was dating out in the hallway he started describing the scene to me, and I asked what movie he'd been watching. Man, I wish it'd been a movie...
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post :)
ReplyDeleteI was a freshman in college, and I came out of my 8:00am class to texts/calls from friends that planes had crashed into these buildings. I made it back to the dorms in time to watch with friends and was horrified as the buildings started to crumble. So surreal and vivid to this day. Going to visit ground zero last year was such a somber place, but they did a beautiful job and I hope that no one ever forgets.