I was in my senior year of high school at the time. That morning, I was in my weight training class. The coach always had the radio on the local classic rock station while we were working out, so we heard what was going on at the same time that everyone else on the outside of the classrooms did. The radio announcers were like all of the others in the beginning of the situation. They were saying that no one knew if it was a small plane, a big plane, or another possible terrorist attack. I'll never forget looking at my workout partner and saying, "You know, if this is a terrorist attack, when are these people (the terrorists) going to figure out that they can't take down the WTC, NYC, or the US?" After all, we had seen attacks there before.
After a few minutes of all of us talking and getting nothing done, the coach took us in the film room and we watched it all on the big screen. That's when we saw the 2nd plane hit. That's when we knew that it was a real deal. We would remember this day as the beginning of a new war forever. We didn't know who it was or why it was happening, but we knew that it wasn't going to be over that day. Once that class period was over, we moved onto the next class, and to the best of my memory we watched it on the TV there too.
The main thing that I remember about the whole experience was that I just didn't know how to feel. It was kind of a mix of awe, sadness, anger and fear all at once. That night I went to work at the restaurant, and we watched what was going on in Afghanistan and the statements from President Bush.
I'm so thankful for the efforts of all of those who have kept us safe since that day. I think it's ok if we forget the feelings of awe, sadness, anger and fear. In fact, it's probably a good thing. But what we should never forget are the feelings of thankfulness, perseverance, and patriotism. God Bless America!
1970 18 Classic-original
"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." -Benjamin Franklin