It doesn’t feel like it’s been 11 years since the tragic day
known as 9/11. I see the images on television and on Facebook and the emotions
of that day come rushing back. I cannot even imagine the emotions of those who
experienced loss or who were in closer proximity to the events that unfolded
that day.
For me, the day began like any other. I was on the campus of
my community college. I had already attended one or two classes that day and had
time to kill before my next and last class of the day. I decided to visit the
computer lab in the library. Sitting down in the computer chair, I tossed my
book bag at my feet and began to check my e-mail. All of the sudden, I heard a
man exclaim rather loudly that we ought to attack them. The exact words are now
lost to me. I was surprised and annoyed to hear someone speaking so loudly in a
library. He sounded so angry.
I didn’t have much time left before class, so I logged off
the computer and hoisted my back pack on one shoulder to exit the library. I
stepped into the foyer and drew to a fast stop as I saw a gathering of students
to the television mounted to the ceiling in the corner of the lobby. My eyes
traveled up and took in the horrific scene of a building consumed in fire
crumbling upon itself.
I stood transfixed, alarmed, and confused. I didn’t yet know
this was on American soil. I didn’t recognize the structure. Then camera panned
and I saw Lady Liberty and I felt the immensity of this --- whatever this was –
happening in my home land. I remained there until I learned about the plane
crashes and that it was evidently an act of terror.
I realized my class was starting any minute and decided to
leave the building and head for class. As I walked I pulled out my cell phone
to call my mom. I felt compelled to contact my family even though we were nowhere
near the danger. The call didn’t go through. I tried again to no avail. I
looked about me and saw students everywhere along the walk ways on campus
talking on their cell phones. I realized everyone was trying to get through to
somebody. I tried once more and she picked up. She and my grandparents were
already aware of the events.
I hung up and continued to class to find a note scrawled on the
chalk board that due to the present events the class was cancelled. Somewhat
out of sorts and lost amid the unfolding events, I headed for my car as I was
to work that afternoon. Arriving at work I found my co-worker concerned about
her husband who was in the military as he may not be able to leave the base
that day. She had the radio on and hadn’t seen the footage yet.
We ordered lunch from the café down the street where she
first viewed the footage on their television. The day passed in this surreal
fog of unbelief. I arrived home, ate my dinner, did my homework and then sat
before the television. There was nothing to do but continue to watch the news. The
local news began to ask people to come to the Red Cross to donate blood. They
showed the packed waiting room of local citizens awaiting their opportunity to
give. Then the people broke out into song, “God Bless America, land of the
free, stand beside her and guide her . . .” The voices rose together
poignantly. The emotions of the day finally found relief and I cried. My nation
had been brutally attacked, but Americans were rallying together to serve and
to humble themselves before God. I heard the hope in those voices of strangers
joining together in song while waiting to give their blood for others.
I could take this post further and use it to discuss the
current state of America or the need for a return to God in this nation, but to
honor 9/11 for 9/11 and not to use it for any purpose of my own I will close
this article without any such commentary.
I will never forget 9/11.
