Remembering 9/11.

I'm finding it hard to believe 8 years have passed. I wasn't a direct victim of the 9/11 tragedy but as an American, it affects you in more ways that you can ever imagine. I remember that day like it was yesterday.

September 11, 2001. Friendly High School. Senior Year. I remember walking into my 3rd period International Cuisine class and seeing my classmates and teacher completely engulfed in silence in front of the television. As I took my seat, I look up at the screen and see the most disturbing images I had ever seen in my lifetime. A plane crashed into one of the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The words coming from the TV became mere echoes after that. Then, as if that wasn't bad enough, a second plane circles the World Trade Center and crashes itself into the second tower. All I remember was saying "Oh my God!" as I quickly covered my mouth in disbelief and felt my eyes slowly water after. It was insane. Then, the trance was broken by the sound of Mr. Brooks on the PA System -- he was allowing us all to call home to be dismissed from the rest of the school day. Shortly after that, it hit closer to home as news surfaced that the Pentagon was hit. Living in the Washington, DC Area during that time..I almost forgot how fast things had happened. It was crazy. There was traffic at every road & highway -- everyone trying to get home to their families. It was by far the scariest day of my life.

I didn't know anyone who was injured or who passed on that day, but I was very much affected. I remember thinking how it was humanly possible to wake up that morning, knowing you were going to kill yourself & many others by crashing a commercial plane into the Twin Towers. How could someone be so evil? As Americans, would we ever be able to forgive those involved? Would it be possible for us to gather up enough courage to do so?

I look back and the images fill my head all over again. Believe it or not, I have never been more proud to be an American since that day. To pick ourselves back up and move on from that as a people, you can't help but admire that. The Star Spangled Banner has never sounded more beautiful - I get goosebumps every time I hear it. Its crazy. But we live through it. The images and the people will never be forgotten.

To the lives and the families of those who passed & were injured on September 11, 2001, God bless you all. We are behind you & we will always remember.