Remembering September 11th

Can you believe it has been 9 years since the "9/11" attack. I remember that day so clearly.

I was attending my first year at BYU-Idaho and sleeping in with my roommate Bree before our daily classes. Bree and I loved sleeping in, so when our other roommate Melissa came in to wake us up we were a little annoyed. Choking with emotion she said "Sorry to wake you but I just thought you should know terrorists have attacked the World Trade Center in New York City." She promptly left our room very upset.

"What is a Terrorist?" I thought to myself as I went back to sleep. A few minutes later Bree decided to go see what all the fuss was about. I felt bad, in my total ignorance of the situation, that I was not more alarmed so I got up shortly after.

I walked down the hall, to watch the news at a next door neighbors house, and was in total shock as I watched multiple planes fly into humongous buildings full of people. As I realized what was happening I could not control my tears as I thought about all the people in those buildings. I could not stop repeating the thought in my mind: "So many people. So many people."

That day was a solemn day as I thought about all those people who had died and were waiting to be found. I thought about all their families not knowing where they were or if they had escaped. I knew that day would change me and the world forever, but I still had no comprehension of the magnitude of the event.

It makes me laugh and it also make me sad to think about a day when I did not know what a terrorist was. How I long for a day when our country did not constantly worry about another attack and where the word "terrorist" was not a word used at the dinner table.

Although our country has been dramatically changed due to 9/11, for me the day is a horrible memory, not relived except a few times a year. However, on 9/11's 9th anniversary when Pat and I ventured down to the site where it all happened, it was heartbreaking to see all the people who had lost someone dear to them and how their everyday lives were a constant reminder of what that day took away from them.

It was also very disheartening to see all the contention that has come of that event. There was so much hatred on a day that should have been filled with love and remembrance. The streets were filled with protests, rallies, and those in mourning. Massive groups chanting anti-government rhymes marched down the allies and streets making a day that should have been a solemn occasion of remembering the lives that were cut short into a day of contention.

As I watched the news leading up to this day and as I observed the masses surrounding the site, I just kept thinking to myself "Can't we all just get along?"