Tomorrow marks the 20-year anniversary of the terror attacks on our country. Along with the thousands of innocent people who lost their lives that day – the world lost its innocence as well.
September 11, 2001 was a glorious fall day in Northeast Ohio. My oldest daughter was home from school recovering from her wisdom teeth extraction the day before. At about 9 a.m., my wife called in a panic telling me to turn on the TV to see coverage of a plane that had just crashed into the World Trade Center. As the minutes passed, we saw another jet hit the WTC on live TV. Soon after, there were reports that the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. had been hit by a jetliner and a plane crashed in rural 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 our freedom has been changed forever.
Two months before the attacks, our 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 New York City revealed our country's amazing patriotism. We saw the American flag proudly displayed over several overpasses and affixed to the windows of countless cars.
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 were still standing. It became difficult driving as my eyes welled up.
There were several other heartbreaking moments as we toured New York. At Grand Central Terminal there were large displays of photos and memorabilia of loved ones lost during the attacks. There was the gut-wrenching view of rubble five stories high where the Twin Towers had proudly stood… and still smoldering more than ten weeks after the buildings collapsed.
Fortunately, there was one majestic reminder of how great our country is. The Statue of Liberty standing proudly on Liberty Island was there to tell the world know that our country will always fight for our freedom. It was a beautiful sight as we concluded our emotional 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.