I was in high school at good ole FTS. I was a 16 year old senior. I remember the bell ringing ending first period (ROTC) and walking down the concourse headed to my second period class (AP Biology). I remember knowing instantly that something was wrong. I could just tell by the mood and feeling of the other students walking and talking on the concourse. I remember a boy named Chris G. telling everyone that he just saw the news in his 1st period class about a plane hitting the World Trade Center. Soon everyone was talking about it. When I got to my 2nd period class my teacher turned on the TV after the kids in my class convinced her. I remember sitting there in my desk watching the second plane hit. I did not know at the time that it would change so many things, did not realize that so many people would lose their lives, did not understand why someone would do this to our county. I remember sitting their feeling sad for all those people in the planes and in the buildings. I remember feeling scared because I had NO clue what this would mean. My mom has just retired from the military 3 years before and I was scared she would be re-activated. I was also confused because I didn't understand why this would happen. I remember thinking "two planes can not be a coincidence." Then when we heard about the pentagon I remember a girl a couple seats behind me calling her mom and dad because her dad worked there. (He ended up being OK.)
The rest of the day was a blur. I remember several announcements about Ft. Bragg shutting down making sure the students having their military ID's otherwise they couldn't get on base. That is when Ft. Bragg went on lock down. Before 9/11 anyone could drive on or off base no problems. But from September 11, 2001 up to today you have to go through the gate with and ID or your car is searched. Security is very high on bases nowadays. I don't even want to talk about how the airport security has changed- we ALL know about that, whether you have been on a plane post 9/11, heard a joke about TSA or seen it on TV you recognize the change.
Another thing that I feel like should NOT go unnoticed is all the United States Military people who died fighting this war. This is in addition to the lives that were shortened 9/11/01. So many INNOCENT people died. I want to take a second to thank EVERY SINGLE soldier: man, woman, past or present who has fought to defend America and our freedom. Thank you. Some risked it all and you are gone not forgotten! Thank you!
Every September 11 since 2001 I have thought about where I was that day, about those tragic events that led to so many deaths and I REMEMBER and HONOR those who are not with us today. The Alan Jackson song below is perfect for my feelings.
"Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?"
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