It’s difficult to understand how life seems so normal ten years after the day when normal seemed as if it were gone forever. This Sunday there will be several memorials commemorating those who died that faithful Tuesday morning. Prayers will be offered, candles lit and speeches shared. Still, it will not be enough. There is no way to express all of the emotions of Tuesday, September 11, 2011. As we go forward from the ten year marking of this tragedy we should reflect upon the words of Abraham Lincoln.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
In that spirit, I will share my memories of that horrible late summer day:
In 2001, I had decided to return to college to get the degree that I moved to Minnesota to attain. I was attending Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings I had Environmental Biology at 8:05 am. When I went into class, everything was so normal. I went to my normal seat in the lecture hall and caught up with my friends. When class was over, I walked out to a sea of people throughout the main entrance of the community college. I thought, “What stupid promotion is going on that has caused all these people to gather here in my way.” As I said, it was a normal morning. I soon saw that everyone was fixed on the televisions broadcasting CNN.
The first image I saw was of the Pentagon. My first fear was that China had bombed us and we were now at war. I was half right. I’m not sure why I thought it was China, but I was transfixed and asked my fellow students what was going on. “I don’t know. Planes have flown into buildings in Washington and New York” the young man next to me said. The next image I saw was of the World Trade Center. By the time I reached a television, the first tower had already collapsed. I said out load, “I can’t believe a whole building is gone.” The young man next to me said, “It’s there. It’s behind the smoke.” I looked at him and said, “There is suppose to be another building that looks exactly like it right next that tower.” He stood there silent.
I saw my professor standing by a table and I walked over to him to share our grief. We stood in silence as people in the tower jumped to their deaths. I couldn’t imagine the fear they must have felt and the hopelessness to make such a decision. Tears began to fall down my face. Then it happened. The second tower rumbled and collapsed in upon itself. My professor exclaimed, “Dear God!” I felt instantly sick to my stomach and felt my knees buckle beneath me. I grabbed the table to keep myself up. I knew at that moment that some of my classmates and friends would soon be sent to war. It was a feeling of helplessness and emptiness. I began to experience every emotion I had ever known. I called my mom to check on her and ask if she had heard what had happened.
Classes went on and everyone was talking about what had happened. We shared news updates as we got them. One of my classmates, who had just left the Army, knew that Usama Bin Laden was behind these terrorist attacks. I had never heard the name before that day. We found out that a fourth plane had gone down in Pennsylvania. There was speculation that it may have been shot down. What I remember most about that time was that I spoke to complete strangers as if I knew them my entire life. All barriers seemed to have disappeared and what was left were Americans. There were no politics, no economic separations, just people leaning on each other to deal with tragedy.
As I drove home, I-494 through Bloomington was almost completely empty. A sky normally filled with air traffic to the Twin Cities Airport was eerily empty. Then I began to see road signs that said that the Mall of America and the airport were closed. The news on the radio said that all of the skyscrapers in Minneapolis and St. Paul were evacuated. After driving by the Mall of America, I drove past the airport. All I could see was row upon row of air planes parked anywhere there was space available at the airport. Then it hit me. I drove past the Fort Snelling National Cemetery. As far as the eye can see, were rows of white headstones. I pulled the car over and began to cry.
I was fortunate that day. I did not lose a loved one on 9-11. At that moment, I was reminded of the sacrifice and cost that it took to protect us and keep us safe. Men and women have given their full measure so I could live in peace. I understood that many would be called to sacrifice in the days to come. I was filled with sadness, pride, horror and doubt. All I wanted to know was that my family and friends were alright. I began to think of ways that I could help. I gathered myself and finished my drive home. As I walked to my back door, I heard the thunder of an F-15 as it roared across the southern sky. I was afraid that this would be the new reality in America. I wondered if this fight would be in the streets of our country. I mourned those who died, knowing there would be more to mourn. Nothing would ever be the same. It may be normal now, but it’s a new normal.
We all have a story to tell from that day. I invite you to share yours in the comment section below. As we continue to move forward, let’s take a moment to remember how you felt and where you were when the world stood still. 9-11 should now be a day that we think of ways that we can serve others and honor the brave firefighters, police and soldiers who gave everything they had to serve us. Let’s be better every day that we have, knowing that it comes to us as a gift to share with those we love and those who we can serve. God bless the United States of America.
