I remember September 11, 2001 as if it were yesterday.
I was a Junior in high school and was going about my day like any other. I was sitting in Dennis Pogue’s General Science class watching a DVD called “Walking with Dinosaurs.” That week, most of the class was absent due to ISTEP testing, so new class material was put on hold. I remember being bored by the DVD and wanting to nap, after all, it was first period.
At around 8:00 local time, Mr. Pogue came from Mr. Davis’ room and turned the DVD off. He told us that he was turning on the news; that there was a big accident in New York City. As the TV screen faded in, we saw the North Tower smoking and then, within mere moments, we saw the South Tower being hit. We all sat and watched in stunned disbelief at what was happening. It looked like something out of a Hollywood movie. When the South Tower was hit, it became obvious this was no accident. When first period ended, we moved on to our second period class where we spent most of the time watching the news coverage of what was unfolding. This would continue for the rest of the school day.
I still, to this day, feel the way I did ten years ago when I see footage from that day. I feel a sense of disbelief, sadness, horror, and anger. I think of the people lost that day and the fear they must have felt. I think of the families that lost someone and the worry they felt of not knowing and then the grief of finding out about their loss. I think of the firefighters, EMTs, and police officers that gave their lives while trying to help others. I think of the survivors, what they went through then, and what they are going through today.
September 11, 2001 is a day that I will never forget.
God bless the lost, the survivors, their families and friends, and America.
