Fifteen years ago, our nation was forever impacted, by the tragedy we faced, on the attacks of the World Trade Center on 9/11/2001. We've all experienced tragedy at least once in our lives. However, it seems no matter how many years pass, 9/11 will be one in which, I will never be able to forget.
I was in kindergarden, five years old to be exact. And so you may ask, how much did I actually comprehend or remember? How can someone so young, truly be impacted by what happened? I can tell you, almost every fine detail of events, that occured on that September morning.
At 8:46 am, flight 11 was hijacked with 92 people onboard, when it crashed into the North tower of the World Trade Center.
At 9:03 am, flight 175 was hijacked with 44 people onboard, as it crashed into the South tower of the World Trade Center.
Killing. And. Destroying. Those onboard, as well as those trapped in the twin towers.
If you ask anyone about 9/11, they can tell you exactly where they were, and exactly what they were doing. Fifteen years later, I can still hear the news reporters, narrating the timeline of events taking place. I can still hear, the confusion in their voices, running through every possible reason to how, this was happening. Terrorism, was the last thought in their mind.
Kindergarden was only a half day, during that time. I had colored a picture of a school bus, traced the alphabet, and even sang the days of the week. Not realizing what I would come home to, later on..
My father was sitting on the couch, eyes drawn, staring blank at the TV. I remember wondering why, he was home from work so early. Every morning my dad would wake up, catch the train and head into Manhattan for work. Only, this day was different..
He didn't take the train that morning. He and his boss instead, decided to drive into the city. They only made it as far as queens, when they had gotten a call from their coworker, explaining what was happening. Turning around, they drove back home, safely.
My father had an appointment in the building, across the street from the World Trade Center. The impact of the towers collapsing, had partially destroyed the building, he was supposed to be in. When such tragedy hits, you can't help but wonder " what if, " that day had gone differently.
What if, he had taken the train into the city instead. What if, he had gone to his appointment as planned. What if, he was in the midst of the action, as the towers collapsed to the ground. What if, he had a moment of bravery, and decided to run in to help.
Maybe, he would have been okay. Maybe, he would have been hurt. Or maybe, even worse. Whether, it was God's work. A Miracle. Fate. Luck. Or even a coincidence. I am very thankful I had my dad home, safe that day. But, unfortunately too many innocent victims, were not a fortunate as we were.
Whether, you were five.. or twenty five. Whether, you were in New York, or Not. We were hit with tragedy, in the same way. We watched, the panic and the chaos in the streets of Manhattan. We watched, as the towers burned up. We watched, as those trapped, had no option but to jump.. And our hearts stopped, as we watched, the twin towers collapse to the ground.
Those fathers, would never come home again. Those mothers, would never make dinner for their family again. Those relatives, would never make it to another birthday party, or family celebration. We simply, would never be the same again.
After the attack on the World Trade Center, New York City was quiet for the first time in forever. Debris, pieces of the towers, were scattered everywhere, the air was still polluted with heavy smoke. Families searched, desperately for their missing loved one's. It was nothing, like I've ever seen before..
At nearly twenty years old, I still haven't figured it all out. I still can't wrap my mind around, WHY...
Why, my dad stayed home, while others had gone in to work that day. Why, we couldn't have known of, Al-Qaeda's, motives sooner. Why, we couldn't have prevented, something like this from occuring. Why, terrorism exists.
The thing about tragedy is, that it knows no bounds. Not, the number of your age. Nor, the color of your skin. Not, whether your male or female. Nor, the amount of money in your checking account. Could have prevented those victims, from this act of terror. Tragedy doesn't discriminate.
While my innocent eyes, saw many things that day. The attacks that had shattered America, had also brought it together. My heart was lifted, at the way New York, and our Country united after that day. The way, other countries reached out to help in any way they could. The way, those nearorfar, wealthy or poor, old or young, were so eager to lend a helping hand. To bring peace, justice, and pride once again to New York, DC, and America.
There was a new and greater sense of pride, to well up everywhere. American flags were hung from nearly every home, overnight.. From all sides of our country, Americans lit candles in rememberance, gave blood and billions of dollars to help. Numbers in our military, recruits grew larger. We all were playing a part, to make our nation stronger than ever before
Thank you..
To the First Responders, for your act of bravery, and for saving so many lives.
To the Firefighters, who ran into the towers, while everyone else was, running away.
To the Police Officers, who guarded and protected those in harms way.
To the Paramedics, Physicians, Nurses and All those who helped treat, the injured and broken.
To the many Americans, who sacraficed everything to help, and slowly heal our nation.
At five years old, this day had forever changed my life.
It had widened my perspective on so many things.
It narrowed my path to what and who I want to become, as I get older.
It made me fall in love with New York and our city even more than I ever have.
Most importantly, it made me appreciate the people in my life, at a young age.
We must never forget, the attacks both in New York, and on the Pentagon in DC.
We must never forget, the victims onboard the hijacked planes.
We must never forget, to keep those families who lost loved ones, in our hearts.
We must never forget, to remember the thousands of lives lost on that September day, fifteen years ago..
