Post #12 The who, what, where, and how of me on 9/11

Although my experiences from the events that happened on September 11th, 2001 were not as heartbreaking as others, it has effected my life greatly.  The day we call, 9/11, has left me with a  memory of that day which is probably similar to many young teens because it was “just another day at school” but this time, a scary reality check was witnessed. Besides fear, hate is a contagious emotion that ever so shortly replaced it. The strongest emotion that helped me through this time was knowing I was not alone and that there was a whole country feeling the way I did. The events that occurred on 9/11 helped me for the first time in my life truly comprehend the definition of fear, hate, and patriotism, which all lead to a change in my life pertaining to my understanding of global terrorism and the appreciation of our nation.  I remember it like it was yesterday, just like any day at school, when suddenly we were hit with what seemed to be an impossible news statement.
    It was a typical morning at school and I, being an unlucky freshman, had gym first period. All I heard was the crack of the gym speakers as someone in the main office began to talk. I knew instantly it was our principal Mr. Pugh and we all assumed someone had called in a bomb threat again, so we continued talking. Over four bomb threats had been called in this school year by the same senior culprit. It wasn’t until I made out the word attack, that I started paying attention. Never before had Mr. Pugh used such a strong word as attack when informing us of a bomb threat. Everyone was still talking and not paying attention so, I told the people around me to be quiet. It seemed like other students heard that key word too, because many people had abruptly stopped to listen.
    Soon the gym fell silent due to everyones concern of the magnitude of this “attack” our principle had so devastatingly spoke of. Mr. Pugh spoke in a slow and steady voice as if to brace us for something. He paused and said that, “I’m sure your all aware of the these attacks in New York, so there’s no reason for me to go over them. What you may not now is after these attacks, at 8:58pm another plane hit the Pentagon.” Hearing the last word caused my heart to sink. My dad had just retired from the military where he worked in the Pentagon. Since his retirement he has been making trips up to his old offices to tie up all the loose ends before he leaves permanently. I preyed to myself that he wasn’t there today.
    After the principals announcement, everyone started talking about what was going on. It was all a surreal conversation to me, because I couldn’t believe what I just heard. That announcement was the first I had heard about any planes crashing. The class was soon over and I remember dressing as fast as possible so I had time in between classes to use a phone. I ran to my alpha secretary’s office and saw about five people in line. Apparently, I wasn’t the only person who was unaware about any of the crashes. After calling my mom, the first thing she said was, “dad is fine.” I thought that statement would alleviate some of my anxiety, but it only helped calm me down a little.
    This alleviated stress was brief, and soon my mind was scared for everyone else I knew, and for all the other possible attacks. As a request by my principal, each teacher gave 15 minutes at the beginning of every class for students to talk about what was going on, and watch TV to find out the latest news. Every one of my classes had this grace period, but made it last the entire class period. That entire day, from the moment Mr. Pugh got on the loud speaker, till I went to bed, was a blur filled with fear and news reports.
       I think fear went away within a couple days. My mom and I went to our local blood bank and Red Cross and donated blood. We contacted all the military families we knew who had lost someone in the Pentagon crash and gave our condolences. After that all I felt was hate; hate that would only go away with the death of those who caused act of terrorism. I watch hours of TV a day that showed chaotic pictures of people running as the Twin Towers collapsed, of families crying hysterically for their lost love ones, and of rescue workers trying as hard as possible to save anyone left alive. I don’t think I have ever felt this angry before, because during this time I wanted to inflict pain on someone else. This extreme hate soon blended with patriotism.
    I felt that if you cut my veins I would bleed red, white and blue. I took a couple pairs of my favorite jeans and attached dress uniform pins that said US or United States that my dad had given me. This was the first time I felt part of something larger then myself. I was part of a country united under a flag, that wasn't afraid to stand up and seek out the source of the threats made upon it. I joined in with my friends applauding those who immediately signed up for the military. They were doing what many of us wanted, but couldn't do. Many of my sisters close friends and students in our school joined the military. To help them directly, and the United States indirectly, my sister and I put together care packages that immediately were sent over seas to the US troops fighting in Afghanistan.
     This only seemed to alleviate my sorrows, and mixed emotions for other nations.  I did not blame those who had Afghanistani backgrounds, but only those associated with the acts of terrorism.  This incident affected the airline industry more so than anyone person was.  It created many rules and regulations that needed strict adherence.  Now every time I go into an airport, I remember the 9/11, because it effected every level of daily life. I feel that my life from that point was changed and forever on until the day I die, along with many other teenagers of my generation, will be effected by the tragic incidents that occurred that day, September 11th, 2005. 

[1] Plunkett,Suzanne. Time Photo Essay. [People run for cover as the first of the two World Trade Center Towers collapses]. In Terror Hits Home photo essay page 7, in WTC photo essays from Photos link. [Online]< http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/wtc/7.html>. [December 14, 2005].

Photo Location: [1]