Seven years ago today our world was threatened as terrorists waged war on the United States. For me, the day began like any other. I sat down with a bowl of cereal before my 10 am class at the University of Georgia and picked up the phone to call my mom. It was my mom who broke the news to me. At the time, only one of the hijacked planes had flown into the World Trade Center. Several minutes later, I watched in horror as a second plane crashed, causing the Twin Towers to collapse.
Like many of you, I spent the day glued to the television in hopes of gaining a sense of understanding. As the morning progressed, news reports came in that a third hijacked plane had crashed into the Pentagon and a fourth plane, headed to Washington, had crashed into a rural field in Pennsylvania after the passengers attempted to regain control of the airliner. The senseless attacks took the lives of almost 3,000 innocent Americans.
The news was devastating. I was horrified. I had never felt so vulnerable. How could something like this happen? How could there be so much hatred for the United States? How on earth could we, as Americans, move forward? These uncertainties led me to a prayer service at a nearby church in Athens, Georgia. Sitting by myself, I never would have imagined that my future husband would be sitting a few pews ahead of me at the very same service. Or that our sense of freedom and safety could one day return…
Today marks a day of remembrance. Let us honor the thousands of innocent people who lost their lives during the ruthless attacks of 9/11. And let us celebrate those who continue to serve our nation on behalf of our freedom and liberty! God Bless and Protect America–today and every day.
Where were you living in 2001?
Such a sweet post…
I can’t believe how many years have past since that day.
MR is looking more growny to me.