On September 11, 2001, America fell victim to an attack that many believed impossible. Within two hours, the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City had fallen. Almost three thousand people were killed in the tragedy, and ten years later, “We will never forget.”
Sitting in a sports bar on a Sunday afternoon, I saw no signs of acknowledgement of the importance of this day. The throngs of football fans that pack Slater’s 50/50 Burgers do not act any differently then I imagine they do every other weekend of professional football season. They still yell and curse at the television when their favorite player fails to score a touchdown. Some still scream and pound their fists at what they believe are “bad calls” by the referee. Their attitudes suggest ignorance to the true magnitude this day should hold. Other than the images of Budweiser Clydesdales occasionally bowing their heads in remembrance during commercial breaks, it seems that even the sports media has turned a blind eye to the anniversary of this event.
Logging onto FaceBook, I see my news feed is crowded with chain posts about remembering the disaster that occurred a decade ago. “God bless America,” posts one sophomore attending FVHS. However, hordes of other non-related posts suggest that life is carrying on without interruption.
Once at home, I relax on the couch watching the women’s finals of the US Open. The broadcast opens with Queen Latifah, backed by a gospel choir, ready to sing the national anthem on this momentous day. First, she asks, “Can we please have a moment of silence for those we lost ten years ago today?” As the moment comes to an end, and the music begins to resonate from the stadium’s speakers, she speaks softly into the microphone for all to hear, “We will not be defeated,” echoing the sentiments of thousands this day. Later, American finalist Serena Williams also shares her pride of playing in New York on this day.
That night, as my dad and I are driving to the video store to check out the latest thriller for our Sunday night movie nights, we pass a small cluster of people standing on the corner. They hold candles up to the sky and wave our flags high with pride. The phrases on their signs speak volumes to those who encounter them. Those people provided a beautiful example of what it means to love our country, and to love those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
Based on what I witnessed today, I find that many have forgotten the true significance of this day, and choose to simply carry on with their lives. Having lived on the west coast all my life, I understand that without a personal connection to the events, many find their lives unaffected; the trauma felt by others is beyond their perception. However, those who did celebrate this anniversary gave their hearts to our country in honor of those who perished. The memorial built where the twin towers once stood stands strong in patriotic beauty, and we Americans who paused to reflect on this terrible memorial, live on, proud to say “We will never forget.”
This was very well written.
The sharing of a writer’s personal experiences is risky, but in this case it carried a powerful message to the reader.
Nice work. xD