September 11th 2001

I have a good friend, named Liz, from the message board I hang out on, that shared a story about September 11th 2001 with all of us today and I want to share it with you all.

Here is what she said:


My youngest son, 12 at the time, on the 1st anniversary was staying with me. We were watching Let Freedom Ring. He was writing something as we watched, and as he finished, I asked him to let me read what he had written. He said no, he was just going to throw it away, since it wasn't any good. I asked if it was an assignment, and he replied no, just something he felt that he needed to write. When I finally got him to let me read it, I was blown away.

He is a very bright young man, but didn't write much at all. So, anything he would write, I was always anxious to read. He never did assignments because he didn't like to write. He explained that this was just something that he felt he had to write, just for his own satisfaction, but it wasn't any good, so he wanted to throw it away.


SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

On the morning of the tragic day September 11, 2001, people in this great nation had no way of knowing what an enormous tragedy that was to be carried out later that morning. At 8:47 a.m. American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center. Just minutes later in the confusion and devastation, a second plane crashed into the south tower.

The fire and police departments were dispatched to extinguish the fire, rescue the victims, and encourage and reassure others. The brave men who ran into the tower, while many others were running out to safety, risked their own lives to save others who were still trapped. They worked fatigued, but their spirit and love for their country, kept them going. The towers finally collapased, but not even that could stop them from saving lives.

Meanwhile, children and adults alike, just learning of the disaster that had taken place earlier that morning, felt a rush of emotions. Some felt anger for the cowardly actions taken by the hijackers, some felt sorrow for the people that died, while others felt fear for what might happen next. Soon all would feel all those emotions, but all had a renewed ambition to support their nation.

Because of this, through this time of crisis, WE STAND UNITED, and as long as we have the same spirit that the heroes had, no matter who we are, or what field of work we are in, we will prevail!

When people look back on this day, I don't want them to remember the tragedy, but rather, the success of our country to not give in and live our lives in fear. The heart of a hero lies in all of us. We just have to be willing to do what is right.

We have to live our lives in love and compassion or we will lose our sense of sanity. You can't know happiness, if all you feel is hate. We can't lose sight of the goal of freedom, which we still must uphold. I have been told this many times, but I never really understood it until recently. Freedom doesn't come without a price. If we don't remember this, then the terrorists really will have won. I AM AN AMERICAN, AND NOTHING CAN EVER CHANGE THAT! This is My country also, and I will support her.

Jonathan Gillin
Age 12
7th Grade
Texas