story5412.xml

story5412.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I was sitting in class of my Senior year when the announcement came through the intercom. I was like "What just happened? This can't be right. Is someone pulling a prank?" We all went into the gymnasium and watched it on a big screen television. It tore me in half. I couldn't believe what I saw. It looked similar to a small fire in a forest, but then when you looked closer, you realized it is many floors high and many windows wide. It was heart breaking to even imagine what people down at "Ground Zero" were seeing, hearing, and thinking. Just when I started thinking about it and praying for the people involved, I heard the crash. The first building had collapsed. I thought "oh no, maybe everyone escaped by then" because the news anchor had given the word that people were being evacuated. When I sat there and listened, the second building started to fall to Earth. It was just the sadest thing to see and even today, it haunts me inside because you never really know what is going to happen next. It is good to know that we American's have bonded a little closer and I don't think anything like this will happen again. It is sad that it had to happen in the first place for this country to come this close together, but even at that, I feel we are all safe today, tomorrow, and our children will be just as safe, if not more safe than what we are now. I just hope the families that have lost loved ones can recooperate and get on with there lives healthy and safely. I know no one will completely heal inside, but it would be good to see us all go on strong and show those enmies we are victorious no matter what happens to us. Since last years September 11th, I myself have changed my life around. I have quit the habit of smoking cigarettes. I have put a smile on my face and thankful to be alive even on the days when you want to just sit there in bed and not put up with anything. Most importantly, I have enlisted with the Air Force and leave November 12th. I am so happy to be able to serve this great country that so many people have tried to destroy, but NEVER will! I will not back down, regardless of the circumstances I will face. No one will ever get me to disrespect America! That is my speech I guess, and I hope it got through to someone out there that doesn't realize how lucky it is to be alive and to live in this great country. Don't EVER take that for granted because you won't be here forever. Enjoy every day you have because it might be your last. Thank you for your time and I pray for all of you that have lost a loved one. They will NEVER be forgotten! Have a blessed day.