Least We Not Forget
Oh My God, a plane has just struck the northern façade of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. The News Media was all over this coverage, a shock in the nation, but what we did not know or even comprehend at that time, is that it was about to get much worse. American Airlines Flight 11 slammed into the North Tower at 8:46 am, a beautifully clear sky, with hints of fall in the air. Manhattan was bustling with the usual activity, no one had any idea what was to come that morning.
When the first tower was struck, America honestly just thought it was an accident, a horrific, tragic accident. Less than twenty minutes later, all minds were changed when the South Tower was hit by United Airlines Flight 175. The beautiful blue sky filled with smoke, sirens pierced the air, and panic soared through the streets of New York. Rumors filtered around, media was all over, but at this point it still was unclear of what was really happening. The luminous World Trade Center was on fire due to two planes flying into its sides, what on Earth was happening? Panic, screams, cries, for the known and the unknown, fear of what was to come. What at the time was unfathomed, no one could even image next turn of events.
Just when we thought the worst had happened, and the world was focused on the towers and the people inside, would they get out alive? The fire and rescue workers working diligently to save as many lives as they possibly could, some losing their own lives at the same time. The News media broke through the airwaves once again, an hour since the first tower was slammed into; American Airlines Flight 77 smashed into the Pentagon. The military headquarters was hit, this was at 9:43am. This was not an accident, three planes to the count so far and all three have struck major American buildings. A Terrorist attack was among America, and a war was started on our own ground. History in the making, and sort of repeating itself as well. Just like when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Out of nowhere did these attack surface, we were not going down without a fight. Airports were shutdown, the first time in history there were not any planes allowed to fly in or out of any airport in America, unfortunately it was not soon enough. At 10:10 am another plane, American Airline Flight 93 crashed, but this one did not crash into any building; it crashed in the middle of an empty field. Why? Where was it headed, why did it not make its destination? The reason, the passengers got wind of what was happening and they all knew that they were going to die anyway, so they choose to be true heroes and take down the attackers. Yes they all died, but this plane was speculated that it was headed to the White House. These men that decided together to take down terrorist were true American Heroes.
Just before Flight 93 crashed into the empty field, the South tower of the World Trade Center, the second tower to get attacked, collapsed. It crumbled to the ground in a smoky, shattered mess. How many people were still in the tower, at this moment the numbers were unclear. By 10:28 am less than two hours after the attack, the North Tower collapsed. The world known New York Skyline was changed forever. The Towers were no more. Why did I just basically write a history lesson, because on Sept 11, 2001, the world changed forever and on this anniversary it marks 15 years. Seems as if we have forgotten something so tragic. How did we go from “Do you remember, to how soon we forgot?” This year marks the first year that freshman’s in high school will learn and study this event and they were not even born yet.
Do you remember what you were doing the day America was attacked? I will NEVER forget. I was a young mother of an18 month old son, and pregnant with another. I was staying with my parents for a little while, the cable was out temporally so I had on the radio. I remember as clear as if it was yesterday, the news media reported that one of the World Trade center’s tower was hit by a plane. At this moment we all just thought was a freak accident, a plane losing control and crashing. I called my sister and asked if her cable was working, it was so I and Austin went over there. We sat in front of the television mesmerized with the events that were unfolding before our eyes, by the time I had reached her house the second tower was hit. This was no accident.
All day long, all day and night coverage. Replays of the towers falling, speculations on what had happened. The world was up in arms, lines formed at the Red Cross, hospitals and anywhere else that was taking blood donations. Churches filled up to pray for those that were lost in the towers, those that they may have known, even those they did not know. We all had something in common, we were all Americans and we were attacked on our own soil. There were lines forming outside the recruiting offices for all branches of the military, everyone wanted to help in one way or another. We were pissed, scared and wanted to avenge.
Time slowly passed, and life started to get back to normal for many people that were not directly hit by these attacks. Churches were back to their normal attendance, lines began to dwindle at the blood banks, and there was not any waiting at the recruiting offices either. How soon it took to forget the horrific attacks. The media took coverage off the TV, it was a cruel reminder. It brought back to many feelings of hurt. Social Media was not a huge factor at this time, so when the news quit talking about it, so did the American people. It began to be a distant memory. It is not spoke of until the anniversary rolls around, and this year is not any different. Is this something we should forget, or should we be reminded everyday why there are soldiers still dying overseas? I feel we should be reminded, we should never forget. We need to teach our children that are too young and were either not born yet, or very little at the time. The truth needs to be taught, not the sugar coated version that many school have adopted to spare the children. Spare the children, spare them from what? The fact that Al-Qaida, a terrorist group orchestrated a very careful and precise plan to take down America. In this world of being politically correct and not wanting to offend anyone has got to stop. Maybe, just maybe people are offended by other people getting offended. We cannot have opinions, we cannot do something without someone else saying something about what was done. Just the other day I saw a Facebook post of a simple Coke display that was designed to honor September 11, and the Twin Towers. There was outrage throughout social media, many said that it was disrespectful, others claimed it was just a display to honor the event. I honestly felt it was just a memorial to honor the fallen towers. We need to NEVER FORGET, that horrible day.
Why did this happen, many were asking this very question? While many were finding solitude within the churches, others were asking how a loving God allowed this to happen. Did God allow this to happen? I honestly do not feel as if he did, it all goes back to the freedom of choice and the world is full of evil doers. Satan has a way of mimicking God, and convince people to do the unthinkable. Since the dawn of time there has always been evil, this is not what God intended. I think about the events of that morning of September 11, 2001, I am reminded of how much worse it could have been. Yes it was horrible, many lost their lives a total of 2996 people were killed and injuring more than 6000. Think about how amazing these numbers are, what I can possibly be saying, there were countless stories that were being recalled about why they were not at work when the attacks happened. If the first plane would have struck just 30 minutes later, so many more people would have been in there offices. This would have changed the numbers drastically. One story I remember hearing is how a lady heard her phone ringing as she was walking out the door, and any other day she would have just let it ring however she stopped and answered the phone. This had a major effect on her, had she not answered she would had been at work on time and therefore in the mess of the attacks. Her life was spared. There were many stories like this one that had a great effect of the outcome of their lives. God does not allow evil, it just happens. However, he can take a negative and turn it into a positive. How many people worked at the World Trade Center daily? How many lost their lives? Too many, yes I do agree with that, but many more could have perished.
In the mist of disaster people turn toward religion, and it was no different with September 11th, In Deuteronomy 31:6, it is clear that we all need to lean on the everlasting love of God, “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." Churches were standing room only in the first weeks of the attacks, bibles were dusted off and opened again after years of being closed. Pastors preached love, and comfort in the mist of the tragedy that was among us. Neighbors were there for their neighbors, loved poured at the seams and race did not matter, gender did not matter, we were all Americans and we were there for each other.
Other verses that were circling around and quoted, Lamentations 3:20-24 “My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me, But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, therefore I will hope in him,” and in Habakkuk 3:16-19, “I trembled inside when I heard all this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.
God is always with us, even through the worst of times.
I am pretty passionate about the lives that were lost in these attacks, the world changed on this day, fifteen years ago. As many already know about me, I am a proud Army Spouse. My husband joined the military in December 2001. When the attacks happened in September the number of people, men and women wanting to join the military spiked. My husband had many reasons to why he wanted to join, but one major one was to defend our nation. I like most wives was a little uneasy at first, because I knew the harsh reality. He would go to war, and like so many of the fallen soldiers, he may not return. I was blessed, he returned alive. I have a great respect for all military and their families. My husband is retired now, but once a military spouse always a spouse.
Least we not FORGET!!!! September 11, 2001.
