We Remember...the Day the World Stopped Turning

Ten years ago…

Charlotte
In California

I was in the 7th grade, sitting in my Kitchen having Breakfast and watching Recess. My mother came out and told me I needed to change the channel to the news because something very serious had just happened. I begrudgingly did and when I saw the screen started crying. I knew nothing about the World Trade Centers whatsoever; I just could tell this was bad. My mom explained to me that they were very important buildings where a lot of worldwide business was done. That was the day I became very aware of the world.

All I remember for the rest of the day was one teacher telling the class that we would go on as normal and not to spread rumors that this was the beginning of world war three or anything.

Nick
In Pennsylvania

I was a freshman in high school and I was sitting in a class called Skills for Life for 2nd period when the towers were hit. We saw teachers going room to room and talking to one another, but it wasn’t until we had a period change that I learned that the World Trade Center had been hit by a plane. We put on the news in our room and watched intently to what was taking place. Then the news came out that there was another plane that hit the Pentagon and another was heading towards Washington D.C. and going over Pennsylvania to potentially get there. By this time parents had swarmed the school picking up their kids to take them home. My dad was at work and my mom thought it was best for me to stay at school and go about my day. I remember going from class to class watching the news and listening to teachers as they explain the impact of the day’s events. I really didn’t know what to think or how to act. The first time I really remember it sinking in was during my walk from the bus stop up the hill to the house when I was on my way home from school. I remember thinking about all that I had heard about war time from my grandfather and how it all seemed so unrealistic, now it was a few hundred miles away. Terrorists had flown directly over our head and no one was the wiser, how could this be happening?

I look back now and see how it has drastically influence our everyday lives. The caution of travel, the economic repercussions, and directly to those who were sent out to fight for our country and protect what we have taken for granite for so long. I have seen it first hand and owe much gratitude to those who risk their lives so I can live my life and enjoy my freedom. I also have a great admiration for my uncle Paul and my cousin Houston (his son) for serving multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan for all that they went through and continue to serve.