Today, September 11th, marks the 23rd anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on the United States. A ceremony will be held at 8:00 this morning at the Ottawa Fire Station. The public is encouraged to attend.
September 11th, 2001, started like any other day. I bet all of you can remember exactly where you were and what your were doing when you heard America had been attacked. I was a paraprofessional at Ottawa Middle School, in Brad Simon’s 8th grade Science Class. Simon received a phone call, jumped to the tv, told the class to watch. They watched. Then when the second plane flew into the other tower, the class erupted in shock and awe. Simon told them to sit down shut up and watch this because it’s going to affect the rest of your lives…. Prophetic words. You could hear a pin drop in that room over the next hour and of the classes that followed. That afternoon leaving school we saw a jet flying overhead. But, wait, all planes had been grounded earlier in the day. Why a plane? It was Air Force One carrying President Bush to a secure bunker somewhere in the hills in Nebraska. Another powerful moment. I remember. Tell your kids, tell your grandchildren, don’t let them forget.
23 years later, I still have a mix of emotions. Proud of the way the Nation came together, angry that it happened in the first place, and somewhat angry with what has happened since.
With all the unrest and division in the country today, please don’t forget who and what you are. An American! Strong and proud.
