September 11, 2001 is a day that will forever be engraved in my memory. The day started out like every other day as I got ready to go to school. As I was about to leave my Dad turned on the TV to check the forecast, something he never did.I heard him yell "turn on the TV you wont believe this, a plane has just crashed right into the World Trade Center". I ran to the TV and turned it on. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, was it an accident? I sat on the couch trying to sort through all of the thoughts that were going through my mind. That's when I saw the other plane. The news coverage was live. Could this really be happening? In the seconds it took me to realize what I was seeing, the plane smashed into the other building. The shock of what we had just seen on live television filled the room. No one said a word. I felt completely numb. I had never seen anything like this in my whole life. It felt like it was straight out of a movie. I started crying when I realized that it wasn't an accident. We began discussing what we had just seen. My Dad told me the buildings were built strong and it was just a matter of time before the fires were put out. I still felt horrible because lives had already been lost. Minutes went by, we were all watching and waiting for it to get better, for the fires to be put out. I never could have imagined what happened next. I gasped as the first tower fell. Tears started pouring out of my eyes. People were now running and screaming as the big cloud of dust rolled through the city. I felt so helpless and sick. As they showed the other tower a few people jumped out of some windows. So many emotions were running through my body that I don't remember ever seeing the second tower collapse. The rest of the day was a bit of a blur I was glued to the TV most of the day. I did have to go to school. As I got there my friend called me and told me they were on lock down because there had been a bomb threat. I went home and turned the TV back on. By then things were becoming a little more clear. President Bush held a press conference and told the world that this was indeed a terrorist attack. He told us that this was "an act of a faceless coward". he also said "We have stood down enemies before and we will stand them down again." "Justice will be served".His words made me feel so proud and angry. I was proud that we were a country that stood up for what was right, and I was angry that someone could be so heartless and have so much hate for innocent lives. Everyone came together, we were a nation again. Where race, and political parties didn't mean anything. We were One Nation under God. So many people were helping. I wanted to do my part too. I couldn't think of anything I could do that would make that much of a difference. That's when Melissa and I were inspired to write a song. Land of Liberty came straight from Heavenly Father. I am 100% convinced of that. Not only did it help Melissa and I feel peace about the situation but it also brought peace to those we associate with, and some that we had never met. It started out as something we were only going to sing the Sunday after in our wards. We got so many requests for a copy that we decided to record a CD. The next few months were a whirlwind. We sang our song in so many different wards, at the Capital in front of the House and the Senate, at the Olympics, and multiple small gatherings. We sold copies for $5.00. In the end we ended up raising more than 15 hundred dollars that we donated to charity helping the victims families.
7 years later I still feel horror and shock when I think about this day. I still feel pride when I see our flag flying, and reverence when I think of those that lost their lives, and respect for those that put their lives in danger to save another. I feel so blessed to live in America. It makes me sad that some people have forgotten what we as Americans stand for. That to some, God is only important and needed in hard times, and that it takes a major tragedy for people to come together. My hope is that people wont forget this tragic day. That it will be a day that we remember those who lost their lives and the Hero's that saved so many.
4 comments:
Beautifully put. I can also remember that day like it was yesterday. I didn't know that you wrote a song....that is so cool! You should write down the words and print it up in your book with this post.
Wow Jacci, that was great. Thanks for the tribute. I got teared up... I agree, you should type up the words to our song on here. How did your Sister in law not know that you wrote a song?!? You need to share your lovely talent, my dear!
We should for sure get together for a Denver game sometime. Today's game was pretty exciting huh?! We caught a couple lucky breaks. We won't be home the next couple Sundays, but maybe on Oct 5th you guys could come down and watch the game. (that's assuming I haven't had the baby yet, which I'm not planning on early since Maxon was a week late:). The game is at 2 but we could just record it and I'll make dinner and we could watch it later. Will you guys be around that day? Let me know and if that doesn't work we'll plan something else.
Well put! I can still remember it like yesterday, too. Kaleb came home from school and asked me about it. It was kind of cool (and sad) to reminisce about it.
Post a Comment