In grade school, I remember learning about the attack on
Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. I remember reading about a speech by Franklin
D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, recalling the
events and describing the day as “a date which will live in infamy”. No
disrespect, but Pearl Harbor was an historical event taking up a couple of
pages in my history textbook, somewhere in the chapter labeled “World War II”.
A day full of desolation, I’m sure of it, but to me…it was a couple of pages in
my history textbook, followed by an essay question on an exam detailing the
significance of the attack on Pearl Harbor to the United States’ involvement in
World War II. That’s all.
On September 11, 2001 at 8:45 am, I was in 7th grade
English class. I wish I could remember what Miss Scharber was talking about on
that Tuesday morning. Now, thirteen years later, I can’t remember a single
thing that happened on that day before 8:46 am. I can’t remember if I woke up a few minutes
late or if I had breakfast. I can’t remember what ChannelOne News was about
that morning or what messages were included on the morning announcements over
the muzzy intercom. I can’t remember my final moments of innocence.
On the 46th minute, of the 8th hour,
on the 11th day of September, in the year 2001, everything changed.
I can recall every detail from that moment on as if I was suddenly awakened
from a long sleep. The eerily quiet high school hallways. The panicked look on
Mrs. Melugin’s face. The discussions of who orchestrated these events. The
planes crashing. The towers falling. The people jumping. The people running. The
people crying. The people.
Even though, as a twelve year old, I could only recollect
small amounts of the information on the news coverage, I couldn't stop
watching. Before my eyes, something was happening. The world was changing. I….I
was changing.
My naivety was challenged and questioned. These types of
events only happen in Times New Roman, 10 pt font sprinkled on the white page
of a textbook. These types of events were only multiple choice questions on a
history test. These types of events didn't happen here, right? People don’t
just plan to kill thousands of people….right? This world is beautiful and good
and safe…………..right?
Now, thirteen years later, I still struggle with these
questions.
That night, on the 11th day of September in 2001,
I remember having trouble sleeping. I had a small television set in my room,
and I turned on Nick at Nite, some light humor to help me shake those images
out of my mind. I wanted to sleep. I wanted to forget…..
May we never forget September 11, 2001. May we never forget
the families who lost their loved one. May we never forget the heroes. May we
never forget the comradery, the love, the compassion shared between the
American people on the days and weeks that followed. May we never forget.
…gave proof through
the night… that our flag was still there….
