I was seven years old and sitting in gym class when the first plane hit the World Trade Center towers. We were playing a game called Super Mario Kart when our teacher walked into his office to look at his TV. I will never forget his expression when he came back into the gymnasium; all the color had drained from his face and his eyes looked worried and shocked. Within five minutes, the tone of the entire room changed. Every seven-year-old in that room knew something happened. Mr. Payne always had a bright and cheery look on his face, what could have done this to him? He turned off the music and had us all start cleaning up the balls and rolling carts.
No one understood what had happened, he just kept telling us not to worry, and that we would be going home soon. Parents began showing up at my elementary school within minutes of the attack. I got into the car and my mom tried to explain to me what had happened. At that age, I knew the attack meant something horrible, but it didn’t resonate with me. I lived in Grand Rapids, MI; I had never been to New York, I didn’t know anyone that lived in New York, and I couldn’t understand how many people had really been killed.
Once I got home, my mom asked me to go play with my siblings in the basement. After 30 minutes, I came upstairs, and saw the images on the television. The images of people jumping out of the building and the smoke in the sky will forever be ingrained in my head.
This Friday marks the 14th anniversary of this traumatic event. I am now 21 years old and fully understand what happened and how important it is to remember the tragic terrorist attack. As the years go on, people who survived or saw the attack become fewer and fewer. Many American’s don’t understand the severity of the situation, because they were not alive when it happened. It is extremely hard to understand how an event like this can affect others when you were not there to experience it.
I urge everyone to take a few minutes this Friday to really remember that day. Think about where you were, who told you, how you felt when you found out, and remember how important it is to remember. It is our duty as American citizens to teach those younger than us about the situation.
This day impacted thousands, maybe even millions of lives. As Friday approaches, talk to those around you and find out how this event impacted others. Teach those younger than you, who may not remember where they were, about the significance of this day.
It is our duty as proud Americans to never forget Sept. 11, 2001. Make sure this day is remembered. There are other ways to remember this day. It was a day of surreal courage from state officials; the firemen, police officers, military persons, and courageous citizens who ran into those buildings to save workers. Remember the people who fought for our country and did everything in their power to save the lives of others.
We can celebrate those who fought or condemn those who tried to take our lives. Either way, we, as Americans, cannot forget the events of this day.
