A Day of Rememberance

Today is the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centers. It is really strange to think that 10 years have passed since that tragic day. Never have I seen the country more united than the weeks and months right after the attack. Where have we come since then? What changes have been made to prevent a re-occurrence of that tragedy?

I remember, as everyone probably does, where I was when I heard the news about the attack. I was sitting in a classroom at Theresa Bunker Elementary School. I was in 4th grade and my teacher was Mrs. Chase. Although most of the other details are fuzzy, I remember sharing the worry with the other 4th grade class over Mrs. Hobbs who was in that area at the time. We only finally felt better after she called the school and told everyone that she was safe. Shortly after, President Bush asked at least all of the children to donate a dollar for a relief fund or something like that. I went to my grandma's house and did some yard work to earn that dollar so that I could be a part of what was happening at the time. I remember seeing lots and lots of flags being displayed and the news was full of new information on the attack and learning that it was not an accident, but the work of terrorists. In all of my time, I don't know that I have seen the country more united than at that time. I wonder, are we still that united?

I still feel sad for the lives that were lost in the attacks and still harbor some anger towards those who thought it would be a good idea to hijack the planes and fly into the World Trade Centers. There was a big to-do not too long ago about the Muslims who wanted to build a Mosque really close to Ground Zero. I still feel that this was very insensitive as it reopened a wound that had not quite healed. 

I thank those courageous men and women who risk their lives each and everyday to protect the freedoms that we enjoy and take for granted. These men and women give their lives to protect our freedom of speech which is used to slander and demean them. They deserve so much more respect than they are given.

God bless the USA and my prayers be with the families who lost someone on this day as a result of the attack and also in the war that was a child of this attack.