9/11 – Where were you when our nation came under siege?

September 11th marks the thirteen-year anniversary of the terror attacks on our country. Thousands of innocent people lost their lives that day and our country lost its innocence as well.

September 11, 2001 was a glorious fall day in Northeast Ohio. My oldest daughter, Jacqui, was home from school recovering from her wisdom teeth being extracted the day before. Around 9 a.m., my wife called telling me to turn on the TV to see coverage of a large jet that had just crashed into the World Trade Center. As the minutes passed, another one hit the WTC, and then the Pentagon, and then Shanksville, PA. It was clear these were not accidents.

My daughter and I watched the coverage all day, wondering what was in store for the future. Could we expect major acts of terror every day? Fortunately, no. But unfortunately, our personal freedoms have come under assault.

Weeks prior to the attacks, my family had planned our first visit ever to New York City during the week of Thanksgiving. After 9/11, we debated whether it was wise to go there with the possibility of more terrorism. We chose to go.

Our drive along I-80 through Pennsylvania to the “Big Apple” revealed our country's amazing patriotism. We saw the American flag proudly waving over several overpasses and displayed from the windows of countless cars. As we got closer to NYC, we stopped at gas stations and restaurants where it seemed that everyone we spoke to lost a friend or relative in the World Trade Center collapse.

Probably the most breathtaking moment as we approached the city from several miles out was our first glimpse of the Empire State Building. I imagined what that skyline would have looked like if the Twin Towers still stood. It became difficult driving as my eyes misted over.

There were many other emotional moments as we toured New York. At Grand Central Terminal there was a large display of photos and memorabilia of loved ones lost during the attacks.

Fortunately, there was one huge reminder of how great our country is. The Statue of Liberty standing proudly on Liberty Island was there to remind us that our country will always fight for our freedom. It was a wonderful way to conclude our journey.

Where were you and what were you doing on 9/11? What emotions did you feel when you saw the video of the jets hitting the Twin Towers? Please share them with a comment here.

If you would like to have a commemorative print of the Statue of Liberty as seen in this story, please click here.