Where were you 12 years ago on this day? Many of us were in an elementary school classroom listening to a teacher lecture about science, reading, art or maybe math. It was a normal day for us in Florida, until the announcement was made.
“Teachers, turn on the televisions to any news channel,” my principal’s voice said over the intercom. My teacher followed his directions and we watched as the second tower was hit. In third grade, we didn’t know what we were watching. We had no idea that this was actually happening in another state on our coast. I imagine it was a similar situation in schools all over the country.
When we went home from school, some of us who were picked up early, it was our parent’s job to explain to us what happened. We may not have understood at the time, but as the days, months and years passed we began to understand that someone had tried to take away what America stands for–someone tried to take away our freedom.
This is a piece of history that occurred in our lifetime, much like the Vietnam War that occurred during our parent’s lifetime and World War II that occurred during our grandparent’s lifetime. When our children and grandchildren are complaining about learning history in middle school, we will be the ones explaining the importance of 9/11. The tables will be turned and it will be our responsibility to keep the memory of the emergency responders, firefighters, police, citizens and victims of New York City alive.
These heroes deserve to be remembered for exactly what they are and were on that day–brave. On this anniversary of a sad day in history, let’s remember how well America pulled it together, joined hands and took back our country. Let’s remember the heroes who put others first and risked their lives to save them.
Photo sources:
http://www.redesignrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/National-9-11-Memorial-Photos-6.jpg
http://worldpittsburgh.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/9-11.jpg