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#2173 | Wednesday, September 11th 2002
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It had been a normal day at school but as we boarded the bus an eery silence set in as we all strained to listen to the news on the radio. It didn't really sink in at first but as soon as I set foot in the house and watched the news for hours and hours and saw all the footage of the devestation it became all too real. The pain got worse every day as more details were released and the death toll rose. But its worst now, exactly one year on, sure we try to get on with life but every time the pictures flash up on the television your reminded of the horific events of 9-11. Living in England theres 1000's of miles between us and America but not even the hugest distance can stop us feeling the pain and loss.
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Antonia | 14 | United Kingdom
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#2161 | Wednesday, September 11th 2002
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I was in health class when attack happened. This kid in my class, Kevin, had just come from the nurse telling me that they had the radio on in there and it said that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon and ruined it, and planes crashed into the World Trade Center as well. I didn't believe him (because he's not the type of kid that tells the truth all the time), until my teacher Ms. Page came in to escort us back to homeroom, when she told our health teacher Ms. Zale that two planes hit each of the World Trade towers and the Pentagon. Then I thought that it was actually true and Kevin was telling the truth for once. Throughout the whole rest of the day we weren't allowed to talk about it, and I didn't like that because everyone was really curious and we had a right to know what happened. All afterschool activities were cancelled so I had to go strait home. My mom had been home sick all day, so she told me everything that happened and it was all over TV. I think it was very horrible for those people to do this, and it was very cowardly of them to do it. We will never forget!
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Patricia | 14 | Massachusetts
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#2159 | Wednesday, September 11th 2002
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It's been quite a while since we've seen the anguish and pain that
was suffered on 9/11--the tragedy that was. Grief, loss, and sadness
may still be in our hearts, but we continue to be resilient and ever
hopeful that someday this world could live in peace.
As a 14-year-old Filipino whose life was changed by an enormous
catastrophe, I remembered where I was that fateful day. Studying for
an exam that night (time here in the country was +12 hours from East
Coast time), I was on my desk fiddling with my pen when my father
called me to watch TV, that something has happened. I then viewed the
screen with horror, as one of the two World Trade Center towers were
up in flames. I sat there aghast, not believing what I have just
seen. Minutes later, a plane swiftly crashed through the South Tower,
creating a massive hole. No, this can't be happening, I thought, as
tears stream down my eyes. Then a report came that the Pentagon was
hit by a hijacked passenger airline. Is this the end of the world? Is
this the start of the Third World War? Not to be consoled, the second
WTC tower collapsed like Lego blocks, forcing every piece down to the
ground. And one side of the Pentagon fell apart. And a hijacked
passenger airline rammed through a field in Pennsylvania. And lastly,
the incident that started it all, the North Tower of the WTC just
came crashing down in a pile of rubble and bodies. It was a terrorist
attack.
What was a bright Tuesday morning in America became the darkest day
the world has ever known at the start of a new century. The Manhattan
skyline was clouded with smoke, ash, and soot. The World Trade
Towers, once the symbol of strength and economic power, was now just
a clutter of debris. The structure which took years to be constructed
only took a few minutes to break down. Even the control center of
world's most powerful military was unimaginably attacked. The United
States was again vulnerable to such cataclysm. But the only thing
that kept rambling through my head was the innocent souls of every
race and creed that were taken inconsiderately by the vicious
terrorists. They woke up thinking it's another day of work, but they
didn't think this day was to be their last. The people in the
airplanes never reached their destination. A lot of them didn't have
the chance to say their final goodbyes. Lives were lost, and dreams
were shattered.
As days went by, I have heard a lot of stories from people who lost
loved ones in the attacks. I was ultimately moved by those victims in
the towers, making every effort to tell their relatives that they are
all right, saying how much they love them in the midst of panic and
danger. It was just too touching. Even if I didn't know these people,
I shared their loss. Their sacrifice and courage were truly
unforgettable. In an instant, these mere mortals became larger-than-
life heroes, whether they were government officials, firefighters,
policemen, or civilians. There was an overwhelming sense of unity
everywhere, as shown by the clips and scenes literally cascading from
the television. It made me think that even in the face of adversity,
there is this bond that consolidates people into one mutual
connection. That even in trying times there is always someone to lend
a hand.
And after sorrow comes action. George W. Bush along with his war
cabinet took full responsibility of the case at hand, and made the
strategic decision to bomb Afghanistan, the haven of the terrorists.
In my opinion, it was a terrific job. It was success early on. Bush,
whom I never thought could be an effective president, took my
admiration on his handling of the crisis. But even after the Taliban
was driven away and UBL's lieutenants have been captured, there is no
certain time as to when this War On Terror will end. When I reached
my 14th birthday last year, I made a simple but hard wish: world
peace.
Before the start of my adolescence I was already interested in
current events, but after this occurrence, I realized just how much
of an advantage this particular passion was. Keeping close watch on
the latest-breaking news, I became the source of information to my
friends and family. 9/11 was the subject of my school theme papers,
which led me to discover my creativity with the written word. Now, I
am a Features Columnist of my school's official publication, and my
articles dealt with a lot of you-know-what.
Sometimes, it takes a big incident to bring forth the best quality in
a person, and in my case it was writing. I poured a lot of my
thoughts and opinion in my compositions. It became my soothing
ground. I never really pursued it when I was younger, but after
receiving encouragement and compliments from my colleagues, I'm
confident to say I'm good at it now. The thought of becoming a
journalist one day have crossed my mind several times already, but
there's still a long time to make my mind up about the future.
One year effected greater awareness in me. One year made me think
about living my life in a brighter perspective. I pray more often,
more than ever. I am still anxious up to this day, fearing the threat
of another dreadful strike. But I shouldn't let this fear reign in my
heart. We all shouldn't. We are brave enough to come past such an
atrocity, and we are standing guard. As nations and as peoples, we
have undoubtedly created a link so strong, so insurmountable that the
terrorists will not have the tenacity to break it.
I remember that in the weeks after the attacks there came an old
phrase, We shall overcome. It was the perfect adage to hold onto
those gloomy days. In the most depressing moments there is still a
glimmer of hope that tomorrow will be a better morning. No matter how
hard the difficulties were, we can always face the challenges--and as
always, we can be able to come off as more improved individuals.
While the impending danger on matters about Iraq still lingering, and
the continuing terror alerts looming along the way, we can only wish
that this 1st anniversary will be a safer one.
We are lovers of democracy. We are defenders of freedom.
And yes, we can overcome whatever it is that comes our way.
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Herschel | 14 | Philippines
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#2158 | Wednesday, September 11th 2002
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I was very shocked when I saw what was happening on tv. I was home sick with broncitus, and my mom came running in all upset and crying( she is a very emotional person with everything but, in this case I can understand)telling me what had and was happening. Then after she told me what had happened I changed the tv to CNN and watched it for a very long time. I am now very mad that someone was so cruel and unsinsitive, and that they killed many Americans, and parents of children who needed them.
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Sophia | 14 | Massachusetts
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#2157 | Wednesday, September 11th 2002
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On September 11, 2001 I was in the Ayer Middle School technology class, completing my work, when my teacher told us that a plane hit the pentagon. Like ten minutes before we were informed about the pentagon, one of my fellow classmates (class clown) told many of us that 2 planes hit the Twin Towers in New York City, and many of us thought that he was joking, others, like me knew that for once he was serious and just sat there stunned. To this day, on September 11, 2002, I am still schocked that this could have happened to the United States.
A couple nights later, I was in my small town, and we held a candle light visual for all of those who lost loved ones, and all the brave souls who tried to help the ones that we lost.
I try now, not to joke about suicide bombings and things that have happened in the middle east. It has affected my family greatly, and I grieve for all whom this is a day for a death in the family.
GOD BLESS AMERICA- ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL
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Angela | 14 | Massachusetts
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