Where Were You: Remembering 9/11!

Today [Sept. 11] marks the 11th anniversary of the terror attacks which rocked New York City and the entire world to it’s core.

I think everyone remembers exactly where they were and what they were doing at the time of the attacks.

It was a regular day for me at St. Joseph High School. I was on a break and enjoying my free time in the cafeteria when either my pager went off or my mom called my phone and left a voicemail for me to call her back right away and that it was urgent. Not hesitating I called her back right away and that’s when she said “a plane had crashed into the Twin Towers and the city was in a gridlock. No trains were working and many cellphone carriers were not working.” I was in complete shock not knowing what to think, do or how I was even going to get home from downtown Brooklyn.

Thankfully, my friend’s father was not far from school and quickly made his way to pick us up. My younger sister’s, my mom and dad all made it home safe. I was extremely worried about my best friend, who we could not get into contact with for over four hours. After hours of searching and stressing, she finally was able to call us to let us know that she’s okay and was stuck underground.

My heart goes out to everyone who lost a loved one on 9/11/01.  Not a day passes where I don’t think about the tragic day that forever changed not only my life but most New Yorkers, and most Americans.

Am I afraid of public transportation? Yes. Afraid to cross over a bridge? Yes. Afraid to fly? Hell yes.

It’s crazy how your life can change with the blink of an eye.

Vee

I can vividly remember the details of September 11, 2001.  The entire Aquinas College family had gathered for our normal devotions in the Garfunkel Auditorium when the administration got the call that New York City was under attack.  Although in The Bahamas, we all knew the far reaching effects of a terrorism attack and we were all ordered back to our respective classrooms.

It was time for my computer class with the annoying but lovable Mr. Morrison who thankfully had a television.    Because of the nature of the news, class virtually was halted and we watched the catastrophic events unfold before our very eyes, even watching as the second plane crashed into the second tower.  Although we were not American, we felt the same pain that New Yorkers felt and asked the same questions Americans did. Why? How? Who?

Did it deter me from heading to college in one of the greatest cities on earth, NO!  New Yorker’s pulled themselves up with grace, and rebuilt their city and now guard it fiercely.  Every time I hop on the subway and the lights flicker my heart drops, every time I fly, I utter, “Jesus, Savior, pilot me, Over life’s tempestuous sea“.

September 11, the entire world watched and wept with America.  That day made me even more aware of the fragility of life and the need to live each moment, each day to it’s fullest.

New York, we salute you. One of the greatest cities on earth rose from the ashes and we will NEVER forget!

Sherice