Where were you?

                Last night, my roomies and I were discussing the anniversary of 9/11.  Each of us said where we were, what we were doing.  The words that rang so true to my heart was Kaitlin’s comment, “I can tell you everything that happened that day-where I was, who I was with, and how I felt.”  Eleven years ago, and we can tell you every detail of that one single day-a day that forever changed our lives and the lives of others in a single moment.

                Fifth grade, Mr. Herberger’s class, working on a group project, world geography-that’s where I was 11 years ago.  I was working with Justin Edgerton, Chase Billingsley, Emily Jefferson and Natalie Snowden.  The map mounted on the chalkboard above Justin’s head had just fallen and hit him-being fifth graders; this was one of the best things that could’ve happened all day.  Laughing commenced and Mr. Herberger immediately began to try to control the class. 

                In his raspy, smokers voice-yes, that is how I remember him.  He was tall, thin, and wore glasses that were slightly tinted; therefore, I never knew what his eyes looked like, strange.  The look on his face became so serious and suddenly the principal, my dad, came on the intercom: “Attention teachers and students, America has been attacked.  A plane has crashed into the twin towers.  Teachers, turn on your televisions.”

                Just in time to watch the second plane.  In this very moment, there were no words; at ten years old, I was devastated for America, families, friends and every person affected directly and indirectly.

                The rest of the day seemed like a lull.  My life was not changed directly, but so many peoples were and that hurt me.  As I got home, I walked in the door and the only word I could get out to my parent’s was, “why?”…Why can sometimes never be answered and couldn’t be on this day.  Years later, in 2012-why still cannot be answered. 

           To America, this was an attack.  To the people who lost loved ones, it is a loss that will forever be in their hearts.  It does not occur once a year; it’s not just an anniversary.  It is a daily sadness that lingers in their heart. 

                So many men and women sacrificed their life on this day…  Sacrifice, sounds familiar; it’s what we’re called to do.  To sacrifice your lunch is easy.  To sacrifice your life-your growling stomach is the least of your worries.  “Thank you” will never be enough to thank those who sacrificed their lives-never.

                11 years ago, on this day-which is now a day that forever changed history.  It’s a vivid memory to my generation, but just in the textbooks for those younger than us.  Erinn said last night, “9/11 is real to us like Pearl Harbor is real to the generation that was alive when we were attacked.  To us, December 7 is in the textbooks.  What we’ve been told, not experienced.”

             “Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. “-George W. Bush