Where were you 10 years ago...?

I was 16 and a Junior in High School.  I turned on the radio expecting music, and all I could get was AP Network News on EVERY station.  At first I was a little annoyed, but then I paid attention to what was being said...

It all seemed surreal, at first I didn't realize how awful things actually were because I didn't have access to a TV and the radio reports were so jumbled in the chaos of the events.  I remember walking into school and seeing the fear on everyone's faces and realizing for the first time that it was more than a plane crashing into a building in New York City.  I started catching more pieces of the puzzle and by afternoon every class had the TVs tuned into CNN and the entire school had an eerie silence as we watched the devastation and wondered how many of our friends and family would be called to fight.  Some were mad and ready to jump into action, others were sick at the thought of what they would be losing in their lives by answering THAT call instead of the call they had always anticipated.

Our imaginations ran wild and we were sure that life as we knew it was over.  How could we possibly pick up the pieces and move on after that kind of destruction?  One of my brothers worked in Newark at the time and could see the smoke across the water.  My uncle worked at the Pentagon and that day had forgotten his security clearance and didn't remember until he was halfway to work.  By the time he had returned home to retrieve it and was on his way again, he turned on the radio to hear that the plane had just crashed into the building he would have been in had he not forgotten.

We had gotten our yearbooks from the previous school year a few days before and I was still trying to hunt down the last few people I wanted signatures from.  One was my friend Jackson who, on September 11th, 2001 wrote, "Life is good."  At the time I appreciated his effort to cheer me up, but later I realized that in those 3 words he had given me hope.  That night I went home and penned the lyrics to a song and the next morning had the opportunity to sit down with my guitar and put it to music.  I titled it "We Won't Forget You", and was amazed to see that become the nation's promise to those who died that day.  I'm not taking credit, I just think it's cool that others were inspired with the same words.

I had the opportunity to travel to NYC and DC the following summer, 9 months after the attacks.  Ground Zero was still a nightmare.  That area of Manhattan was a ghost town.  I cried in silence when I saw the doors to the firehouse covered in memoirs to it's fallen members.  I peeked through a tiny hole in the tarps blocking Ground Zero from the public eye and saw the steel beam cross.

It's been 10 years since then, and my one regret is that our nation seems to have forgotten the unity we felt in the months following 9/11.  My one hope is that my children never have a day when they worry about the future of their country, and whether the call to arms will tear their family and friends from their sides.  I am SO thankful for those who have answered that call and have fought for our freedom and the freedom of others.  I hope we all take a moment this Sunday to remember where we were 10 years ago and to say a prayer for those who lived.

- Tiffany

*****
I can't believe it's been ten years! The morning of the attacks I was serving my mission in Chicago. We had just finished a meeting with our district when I we got a call telling us to stay home until the mission president contacted us. We were told we could watch the coverage at a members home as long as we stayed put. We lived above a member who allowed us to watch with them. I can't explain to you the feelings I had as I watched the 2nd plane crash into the tower over and over. I did not see it when it hit for the first time, I saw the replays of it as they continued to cover the story. My heart ached for those with loved ones inside. I can still see the people who were forced to jump from so high, there was no chance of survival. As the towers fell I was watching it live. The room was quiet. We had tears running down our cheeks. I did not personally know anyone that died that day. I feel for those families who did not know if their loved ones were alive. The fire fighters and police who rushed in to help left families of their own behind. So many American lives were lost! Yet out of the ashes and tragedy, numerous heroic stories also emerged. This attack is my only taste of the emotion that comes from war. I have read plenty of books that tell stories from World War 2. Books do not keep you up at night aching for the strangers you read about, or lead you to your knees for hours at a time. After the dust settled from 911. We saw a different America! One that was united and strong! People caring for others, and caring more for their loved ones. I felt an outpouring of pride to be an American over the next few months. Doors were opened and people allowed us to enter their homes and share with them the peace that the gospel brings. I love America! I love the blessings I enjoy! I want everyone to know how grateful I am for those who fight to protect me and my family. Thank you to the families who have loved ones serving.  I only enjoy the blessing I do because of you! I wish I said thank you more but I'm not always sure how too. So thanks again!
-Clint