September 11 , 2001
I was in the 10th grade sitting in Mrs. Sanders' science class. I had missed a previous day of school when we had taken a test. On 9/11, our class was going to go over the test and since I didn't take it I had to go sit in Mrs. Bozeman's class. It was her planning period, so she was sitting at her computer. Mrs. Patterson our school counselor was in the room with her. I didn't think much about it and was just waiting for the time to past. The more they talked, the more I could tell that something bad had happened. I asked them what was going on, and they told me a plane had hit one of the towers of the World Trade Center. My first thought was what is the World Trade Center? That's sad, I know!! I figured it was an accident but thought it was horrible for the people in the plane. I returned to class and shortly after, we were dismissed for break. At this point news had spread all over school and the second plane had hit. We were all trying to huddle around TVs or computers and see what was going on. I now knew that it was not an accident, and our country was under attack. I remember feeling numb and confused. Before recess was over, the towers had fallen. For the rest of the day we had discussions, watched the tv, and were at the computers in our classes. When I heard of the plane hitting the Pentagon and the other crashing in Pennsylvania, I wanted to know why and who was the master mind behind all of this. So many innocent lives were being taken. It was just gut wrenching.
That afternoon, I rode home with my friend, Whitney, because we had to be back at the school for a Booster Club meeting. We stopped by a little country store to get a club sandwich. There were some older men in the store talking about the events from the day. I remember them talking about how The U.S. was capable of blowing countries off the map, so why was somebody attacking us?? It was kind of funny listening to them.
When we got to her house, we turned on the news. How many teenagers hang out and watch the news?!! On that day, probably 9 out of 10!
The Booster Club meeting met at the football stadium. I remember an Army plane flew over (probably from Eglin), and we all looked up and stopped talking. Where was it going? What was it doing?
After the meeting, I wanted to get home in time to listen to President Bush's address to the country on TV. Again, how many times in the past had I wanted to listen to a speech from the president? Our lives were changed, and as a teen, I grew up some that day. Our sense of security and safety was gone. I had a cousin in the military. What was going to happen to him? Would he be deployed? So many questions raced through my teenage mind. Before I went to bed that night, I remember sitting on my bed and crying. The hurt I felt for the families of the victims, the confusion, and the insecurity of what our future held definitely overwhelmed me.
I loved how our country became united. The patriotism was awesome. People were flying American flags, wearing patriotic clothing, and singing patriotic songs. As a cheerleader, I remember wearing red, white, and blue ribbons in our hair, and a patriotic pin on our uniforms.
I also remember hearing talk that the world was coming to an end. Obviously, it did not. However, I do think that the day Jesus returns will be a lot like 9/11. Mathew 24:36 says, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." On 9/11/01, we were all going about our business, and in a instant, our life was change. We did not know anything was about to happen. That is why we should always be prepared and waiting for His return.
I'm PROUD to be an American!
