>>SEPT. 11

There are those events in our lives that we remember so clearly....like we know exactly what we were doing that very day.  September 11, 2001 is like that for me.

I woke up and was getting for school, as usual.  Except that instead of watching the news like I did every single morning while getting ready, I decided to listen to a CD.  Then on my drive to school (about a 45 minute commute to Salt Lake Community College), I listened to my CD instead of listening to the radio like I usually did.

I arrived early to school so I headed to the "commons."  The common area was packed with students...usually that early in the morning there would only be a handful of people in there... so I knew something was going on.  Everyone was jumbled together in front of the big screen TV.  I pushed through the crowd and tried to make my way to the TV.  Right then the second plane hit the tower.

I was so confused, but quickly learned what was going on.  I just felt numb inside.

All of my classes were canceled.  On my way to my car, I ran into a friend who had recently served in the army.  I remember him being so upset.  I was still trying to wrap my head around everything that was going on, but visiting with him made it all a little more real.

I was glued to the TV for days.  I wanted to know everything that was happening...who was behind the attacks, how many survivors were being pulled from the rubble,  what was next??

I had never before loved this country so much.

I also felt such a great love for the heroes of that day....the firefighters, policemen, medical personnel and all the ordinary people who did extraordinary things to help others....including all those on flight 93. 

My heart was heavy and went out to everyone who lost loved ones and who was affected by that terrible attack.

I can't imagine how frightening in must have been for those close to the crash....those in the towers...those in the planes....those on the phones with their loved ones before the crash.  I was frightened and sad and shaken up and I was thousands of miles away.  

10 years have since passed.  I still love this country and my heart still goes out to the victims of that day.

The past few days I have been watching footage of that day, listening to audio, and watching documentaries.  Every time my throat gets tight, my chest gets heavy and my eyes get teary.  It was definitely a day I will always remember.

I am so thankful for the servicemen who serve and protect our country.  I am thankful for our freedoms and I truly am proud to be an American.