Remembering 9/11

My Memory of 9/11:

As I drove to work yesterday morning, callers were sharing their stories and memories from 9/11. Eight years ago, I was in my hometown of Springfield, Virginia. Springfield is near Washington D.C and right next to the Pentagon where the third plane hit.

Eight years ago, I was in 6th grade at Orange Hunt Elementary School. As more and more students were pulled out of school, the school began showing Charlotte's Web in all of the classes. Finally the principal gathered all the 6th grade classes together and told us what was going on. However, we were given few details and no one even knew what the twin towers in NYC were. Since the Pentagon had been hit and so many students had been pulled out of school, we were sent home from school early. I was walking home with my neighbor Allison Van Gilst and my sister Molly, a second-grader. I was trying to explain to Molly what had happened, but it wasn't until I got home and saw the video footage from the planes crashing into the World Trade Centers that I truly understood what was going on. I was shocked as I saw the planes fly straight into the buildings, and was even more fearful when I saw them collapse. The two towers collapsing weren't even the biggest worry or shock for me. What scared me most was the fact that a lot of my friends’ parents, including my neighbor's dad, worked at the Pentagon. No one knew who had survived or if their parents were okay. I kept hearing word that certain families didn’t know if their parents had survived. Hours later, we were relieved to hear word that they were alive and well. Some had even walked home from the Pentagon.

The President urged all those who could help to do so. I was only ten years old when September 11 happened to America. I was only ten when nearly three thousand people lost their lives. I was only ten when firefighters courageously walked into the burning buildings to save so many lives that would have been lost. I did not understand how much this affected us then, but I understood enough. I got some of my friends and family to create a lemonade stand. We stood on the corner of a nearby street and sold lemonade and patriotic trinkets. We sat out there for days earning money. Some may say that we did not make a difference, but I believe we did. We earned nearly 300 dollars. It may not seem like much, but that is 10 cents for every victim. I felt so proud when we visited the Red Cross office in Washington D.C. and delivered the dollar bills and all the coins. I had helped the country just like the President asked.

This event didn't change me much as a ten-year-old, but every day, every year, every time I think of that day, I change a little bit more, become a little bit stronger, and become a little bit better.

What We Can Learn From All This:

During the next few months, people would smile and wave on the street, some would be found doing random but extraordinary acts of service, and others were donating blood. Some were more generous in what they gave to the Red Cross and other charities. Many were found going back to churches they thought they'd never step foot in again. Prayers were being offered. Patriotism shot through the roof.

Now when was the last time you smiled and waved to a perfect stranger?
When did you last do a random act of service to someone in need?
When is the last time you prayed to God or went to church?

When was the last time that you gave a little bit more to those who have so much less?
Have you recently showed support for your president and the decisions he is making?

Just because 9/11 happened 8 years ago doesn't mean that we have to forget the things we learned. People die every day protecting our freedom. Just because you don't know the people who die for this country doesn't mean they don't die heroes.

I encourage you all to stand up, stand out, and stand together. Remember how you felt that day. Remember how you changed, and don't let 8 years be the stopping point of those changes. You can still help others and be kind to those in need. Let today be the day that YOU make a difference. Make every day a day that you are grateful for—one that you would fight to protect. And never forget those who died and those who have yet to die for America, for you, and for me.