I didn’t personally know anyone who lost their life on September 11, 2001. But I cried along with those who lost loved ones, just the same.
I didn’t see the burning buildings with my own eyes. But I’ll never forget the images on TV or the burning smell from my NJ office 30 miles away.
I don’t know what a terrorist is supposed to look like or act. But I find myself more aware of my surroundings. A little less naive, a little less free.
I understand that Americans pride themselves on personal independence. But I also saw a united country that remembered what community means and instinctively helped strangers in need.
I thought I knew what a hero was. But I learned the true meaning of hero through the brave firefighters, first responders, selfless citizens, and the passengers of flight 93.
I have been flying an American flag outside my home for 10 years now. I also remember flags being hard to find at a store 10 years ago.
I cry whenever I sing the national anthem. And I’m not embarrassed. And yes, I cried as I wrote this.
God Bless America.
8 comments
I wrote this a year ago. And I still fly my flag, and pray for my country. We will never forget.
My feelings and thoughts exactly. I watched the documentary on the tributes of the heroes during the 9/11 incident. I am very touched and inspired by their bravery, sacrifice and unselfish acts. I have learned so much from them. And I give credit to the people who are striving to be strong in order to live life.
I certainly express my sympathy to those people, who lost their loved ones in that tragic incident. I was shocked to see the incident on television. I wish that the incident won’t be forgotten and won’t happen again in the future. And I hope that the people, who lost their lives, will find peace and may their family have enough strength to move on. Thanks for the interesting article.
The cruelty of those who carried out the attacks added to the sense that this was new. No quarter or tactical restraint could be expected from those responsible. The unbounded hatred that motivated such a plot was among its most unsettling aspects. So too was its divine inspiration: “You love life, we love death.” What might such people do, given the means?
Enza – the power of coincidence can be overwhelming. The attacks affected everyone, regardless of location. I’m so sorry you knew that much loss. You won’t be crying alone today.
That day is forever burned in my memory, my husband was in Hong Kong grounded because of a storm, my son was in NYC where he was going to college and I was having trouble reaching either of them….as the day progressed and the horror of it all grew, I started to find out that my sons’ baseball coach and father of their friends, DJ & Sean, was in one of the towers….one of my neighbors brother was in one of the towers…a woman I knew from work…her daughter was a flight attendant on one of the planes that hit the tower…how could someone from a small town like Marlborough know that many people directly affected…I can’t watch the shows that are on TV about today…it just makes me cry for all those families who lost loved ones…
I think I embarrassed my tween last night at the pep rally. It was a two-tissue cry.
I cry when I sing, too – not just the national anthem but any patriotic song.