I was 13 years old and in the 8th grade at Fort Middle School that Tuesday morning. I can't exactly remember but I believe we were going to second period around 9. It was Georgia Studies, I thought it was odd because, my teacher Mr. Butts, had the TV on......as well as the look of absolute horror on his face. Something is wrong. The Tv was showing the the North Tower of the WTC on fire....the kept saying there was a plane accident.
9:03 : For some reason he didn't turn the TV off. To this day I wished he had. Because as we were watching Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer talking about this "accident" we saw it. On live television. This can't be an accident. Then they said they had report the two planes were hijacked and flown into the building on purpose. There was just no explanation for what was going on. This was the first time I had heard the word terrorist. I kept asking Mr. Butts " what is a terrorist??? What does that mean??" He could't answer me. I knew by this point this was no accident. This was an attack. And once again....he kept the tv on.....
9:59 : We were still watching the TV. You could see people hanging out windows on the top floor above the point of impact, complete chaos on the ground, horror in the Charlie Gibson's voice. All of a sudden the south tower begins to collapse. I just couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing. Just horror. I just dont think I was able to comprehend it. I remember there was a black boy that was sitting next to me. His name was Jamal. There was a white women that was walking by, covered in soot and blood. He started laughing at her.....he said "look at that white lady!!" I remember Mr. Butts getting in his face yelling at him "Do you think there aren't black people in those buildings!!! Do you know how many people just died in there"!!! I think thats when it clicked.....thousands of people just died right in front of our eyes.
The teacher from across the hallway came bursting in the room "Somethings going on at the Pentagon"
Switching channels now......the Pentagon is on fire. Is it sad I had no idea what the Pentagon even was. Then there was a page over the intercom to turn the tv off and to not discuss the events of the day. How do you go back to teaching after that??
My father was an active duty solider in Ft. Irwin, CA at the time. He was 3 years away from retirement. He trained soldiers for desert combat. Ironic. I knew enough to know if America was under attack, we were going to war. There was no question about. I knew they were going. I remember being so upset by time I got home my mother had to have my father call me and calm me down. He told me that his position was non deployable and he promised when they did go he would not be going with him. He also told me however it was his job. Thats what they trained for and that if he did have to go he would go and serve because thats what he had to do and what he signed up for. I was scared.....but he never did deploy and for that I am grateful.
I went to NYC in spring of 2000. We were suppose to visit the WTC but couldn't for some reason that day. I remember when I got home from school on 9/11 the first thing I did was drag out my picture from my trip to see if I happened to take a picture of the skyline. I did.....but no the WTC. I sobbed. I completely over looked it. I was too worried about getting a picture of Carson Daily in the TRL window.
I went back in 2004. We visited ground zero. It was heartbreaking reading all the missing signs they still had up 3 years later. They were just huge holes in the ground. I was glad that I was able to experience both before and after they fell.
I no eventually 9/11 will become 12/7. To my children it will be another day. But I will never forget. It feels like yesterday to me. I am so thankful for the men and women who have stepped up and served as well as their families. You have done more for this country then I could ever do.
If you haven't seen anything about the WTC memorial on tv check it out. I can't wait to vist one day.
HERE
Today is a beautiful day. Just like that day should have been. Feel free to post where you were and such below if you wish.
Hope everyone has a great week at work!!
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