A new patriotism
Three words were running through my mind as I watched the twin towers plummet to the ground on Sept. 11, 2001: chaos, destruction and terror.
I was in third grade at the time and I remember not understanding what was happening. Despite my confusion, there were three other words from that day that would haunt me for the rest of my life: terrorists, war and patriotism.
Crying teachers attempting to explain what was happening was enough to scare any kid, which is why my school did not show us the news and told us to go home and have our parents explain.
Once I was home, the only thing my family and I did that night was watch the television broadcasts of the World Trade Center towers. At my young age, I had no idea that these events would be a defining moment for Americans, and one of the worst attacks on American soil in history.
Those who look at Sept. 11, 2001 as a black mark on the American society should be ashamed. The lives that were lost that day and the damage done to the American spirit and way of life were a horrible occurrence that this country will remember forever.
On the other hand, what happened also united our country. Citizens of all ages, races and ethnicities listened, experienced or witnessed with horror the actions the 19 hijackers took with those planes to cause a deep unraveling in our society’s peace. The attacks were meant to cause deep terror and unrest, but those who witnessed the events felt only empathy towards the victims and their families.
No one knew the moment the plane hit the North Tower that our lives as U.S. citizens would change forever. National safety became the first thought on everyone’s mind. Am I safe? What does this mean for me and my family?
The country was speechless. News anchors went minutes without saying anything while live on the air. People were simply astounded by the fact that terrorism had touched our country, the land of the free and home of the brave. Our protective shell was shattered once we learned terrorists were behind the mass murder of thousands of Americans.
“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America,” said President Bush during his address to the nation hours after the attacks occurred.
His speech was not to warn people of the terror still at large, but to tell the nation that we were strong and still intact, that we were mourning the loss of many, but that we would withstand the attacks. It was a speech to move us forward.
Ten years later, remembering the lives that were lost is what this day is all about. We also celebrate those who survived, and we celebrate our nation that is now stronger after we came together to help others out of the rubble and mess that left us shaken 10 years ago.
