In Memoria

Ten years ago today, the United States of America was brutally attacked by a vindictive terrorist group, leaving the country reeling in shock and pain. So much has changed for America since that dreadful day.

A decade is a long time, but, in retrospect, it feels as if it happened yesterday. I was 11 years old, in 6th grade. I remember being in science class when my school principal's voice came over the intercom system asking for a moment of silence to commemorate a dreadful event. I remember everyone in my class, the teacher included being totally baffled. 'What happened?' we were all wondering. The teacher turned on the news and on every channel was the coverage of the two towers burning, black smoking pouring out of them. It was horrible to watch. A lot of us cried.

Shortly after, the bell rang for us to go to our next class. By the time I had sat in my next class, math, and the television had been turned on, both towers had fallen.

I cried throughout the day.

The sister of one of the teachers at my school had been at the Pentagon that day. Mercifully, she was not harmed.

Still, I often think back to that day. Six years after that, in my twelth grade year, I wrote a poem for class concerning Flight 93, and the plot to retake the plain by the passengers on board.

Mind you, I'm horrible at poetry, I would have rather written something in prose but:

Let's Roll

On September 11^th you board your flight

Unaware of the lives to be spent out of spite

Not knowing the terror that will soon plague the plane

Nor the eminent feelings of anger and pain

You sit, oblivious, to the terrorist plot

To the plan of revenge their leaders have sought

Then over the speaker came the terrorists' call

Their plan was to make our morale fall

You pick up your phone with tears in your eyes

You call your wife to say your goodbyes

You tell her you love her and not to forget

To never give up, and never to quit

You formulate a plan with the others on board

To give back to many all life can afford

You say a final goodbye and try to console

Then turn to your fellows and state "Let's roll"

It is people like Jeremy Glick and Tom Burnett, two of the men who revolted and tried to take back the plane, as well as all the men and women who have fought in the two wars that continue on to this day that make me proud to be an American.

To the victims and heroes of 9/11 and all those who have fought (and those who have selflessly given everything) in the war: You will never be forgotten. 

Readers: please, at one point today, take a moment of silence to remember the people who died and everyone who lost someone that dreadful day or in the wars thereafter.
Honor those who have fought back, protecting you and your family from further acts of terrorism. Remember what we lost that day.

To the American military:
Thank you. Your service means so much to this country and to its people.

Requiescat In Pace