Where were you?

In the fall of 2001, I was in college at a local community college and worked two part-time jobs - one as a daycare worker at my church in the afternoons and the other I worked in the office of my cousin's service company two days a week in the basement of his house.

On September 11, 2011, I walked into my cousin's house to find my uncle standing in front of the tv.  He said "Come look at this.  It is unbelievable."  The scene on the television was of first tower just after being struck.  We stood in silence as the newscasters frantically tried to figure out what happened.  Then tragedy struck again as the second tower was hit.

I watched and listened to the news all day long.  It was unbelievable what they were saying....terrorists.  How could that happen in our country? 

I went to my job at the church early in the afternoon.  We were informed by the elementary school that they had not informed the children of anything.  We kept a small radio on behind the front desk but the day was otherwise the same for the children.  It was so hard to try to make the day normal when it was anything but. 

Our church happened to be having revival that week.  Our pastor was a chaplain with the National Guard.  His patriotism was always there and that evening's service was no different.  It was an opportunity to be together, to pray, to worship, and to both honor those who had and would perish in the events and to celebrate the spirit of the people of the United States of America.

On the evening of September 11, President Bush said (paraphrased), "Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts....Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."

There were a total of 2,977 innocent deaths of which 411 were emergency workers.  There were countless other victims and millions of Americans who could only stand by and watch.

 We will never forget.  Not 10 years later.  Not ever.  

 

God Bless America.