9/11/01

I wanted to take a moment to remember September 11 on this anniversary of the tragedy that occurred ten years ago today. Instead of a moment of silence, consider it a moment of speaking to honor those who died that day. 

I was thirteen at the time, and my understanding of what was going on wasn't the greatest. 

I remember that my ride, coming to pick me up for school that morning, had the news playing on the radio. She gave me the rundown of what had happened. A terrible accident had occurred--a plane had flown into a building in New York. I don't remember if by the time I got to school the second plane had flown into the second tower or not, but it became clear very soon that what we had initially thought of as a terrible accident was actually a terrorist attack. Life and school paused that day as we watched the news unfold in each class. It was my English teacher, Mrs. Molkentine, who mentioned that this was history happening around us, and was more important than whatever was on the agenda for the curriculum. 

For me, the terrorist attack was an event happening very far away. I didn't know anyone in New York, and by and large, what was happening wasn't really affecting me. Some of my friends were a little more concerned. They had parents or friends or relatives who were supposed to be flying that day. Or who were flying or traveling. They were scared, and I think it was their worry that helped me realize just how serious of an event this was. 

Truthfully, in the days and weeks following the attack, I remember getting tired of hearing about it. Everywhere I turned, people were talking about what had happened or singing overly sappy songs. It wasn't until later that I came to realize how significant of an event the terrorist attack was. And how devastating it must have been for so many families who lost loved ones. 

I don't have the words to express how I feel for the people affected by what happened ten years ago. Because the reality is, in some degree, we all have been affected. And so many people became heroes that day, whether they were the firefighters or policemen in New York, or the local and country leaders who helped us get through the aftermath, or the men and women in the armed forces (or who signed up to be in our armed forces) who protect our country daily with their lives.

But most of all, I'm grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although I did not fully understand everything that happened on that day, I do remember that I turned to my scriptures and found comfort in the words of the Lord. I know that my Savior lives. And I also know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all those who suffered or died as a result of the September 11 attack will live again, and that their pain can be healed.

The events of the September 11 attack were incredibly tragic. But I'm so grateful that I am an American. I'm glad to be a part of this amazing country--the greatest in the world. I'm grateful for our freedoms, and our system of government. The last ten years have not been easy on our country. But we have and will continue to carry on.