Ever since we were in elementary school, we have learned about our country's history, the good and the bad. We learned of how our country was founded and when The Deceleration of Independence was written. We were taught that each generation worked toward making our country great. We learned about important people such as Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and many other people. But, we also learned about the terrifying wars that had to be fought to fight for our country. We learned about how women as well as different races fought for equality. We learned about the tragic assassinations and deaths of influential leaders.
What we never expected though was a time where something so tragic would change our own personal worlds at such a young age. September 11, 2001 was a day that will forever be engraved into my memory.
September 11, 2001 started out to be just like any other ordinary day. I was at a young age of four and had no worries in the world, other than making sure that I had my pillow case full of Doritos chip bags. Yes, you read that right. That day at Preschool, I was the snack girl and wanted to make sure that everyone loved what I was bringing in. I counted the number of chip bags I had over and over again to make sure I had enough. As my mom dropped me off I skipped with joy into the classroom. That joy did not last long, it soon turned into confusion and fear.
An hour or so later, my mom came to pick me up. I did not understand why though because preschool was not over and I did not get to hand out my snack. Although I was young, when I looked into my mom's eyes I knew something was wrong. She took me home and I remember going into a house full of people. My two sisters and their friends and parents were all at my house. I was so confused as to what was going on. I tried handing out my snack to my oldest sister and her friends but they kept making me go away. My sister looked sad and hurt but I couldn't grasp the reason why. My mom and the other parents were talking in hushed tones. I remember that my dad was stuck at work but I did not know why he could not come home.
After awhile everyone gathered around the TV. I sat on my mom's lap as we watched the Twin Towers in New York City crumble to the ground. The screen was flashing before my young and innocent eyes as firefighters were running into the buildings and people were running out, covered in dirt and dust. I did not understand. I looked around the room and everyone was crying. But why? I could not wrap my head around why there were two buildings falling and why it was so important that we all needed to be together.
As time went on my parents and teachers explained what had occurred on September 11th. It took years to fully grasp what had truly happened. But it is a day that I will never forget. It is a day that I will continue to remember the rest of my life. You never think that something so devastating could happen during your lifetime — until you live through one.
At the age of nineteen, I now know the facts about 9/11, but what I will always remember is the feelings and thoughts that I had when I was four years old as I watched before my very own eyes, something that change history forever.
Thank you to all of the firefighters, police officers and brave men and women who gave their all on September 11, 2001.
Thank you to all of the brave men and women who continue to serve and fight for our country each and every day.
