In September of 2001 I had just barely started my senior year of high school. The world was at my feet and I was having the time of my life. In my senior Honors English class my teacher Mrs. Ayers had us write a journal documenting our senior year. She provided the topics to us and we could say whatever we wanted. One of the topics was titled "Moments in Time". Within in this topic we talked about our proudest, happiest, saddest, scariest, and most embarrassing moments. My scariest moment was the attack on the World Trade Center. The following is an excerpt from my journal, written from the view of a senior in high school.
"The scariest moment of my senior year, well in almost my whole life, was 9-11-01. I will never forget where I was that day. We all had just come in from marching practice when Mr. Abrego's phone rang. His wife was in a panic claiming that a plane had hit the Trade Center. Almost immediately we turn on the TV. I saw smoke and fire and the words Terrorist Attack flashing across the screen. Next thing I know we hear a plane has hit the Pentagon. Soon after that with our eyes glued to the TV we see the second plane hit the second tower. That image is forever stuck in my mind. That whole day my body was numb. I had never been so afraid for my life and the lives of those around me. I kept thinking who was next. Where will the next plane hit? That day I saw images of people falling helplessly from the top floors. I can't forget it. I won't. I remember the first time a plane flew over my head after the air ban was lifted. I was outside marching and chills went through my spine and the hairs on my arms and neck stood up. A sound that never bothered me before was now a sound of fear and panic. To this day it is hard for me to talk about without wanting to break down in tears. I don't want to remember, but I can't ever forget."
I wrote this in April of 2002. The class of 2002 was going to face a new world. The class of 2002 in Oklahoma would have lived through two major terrorist attacks and be able to recall and remember both of them vividly. Eighteen year olds across the country would head off to war as they graduated, to defend a country we love. This event changed the paths our lives were on forever.
One can only hope that there will be a day when our children, grandchildren, and future won't have to worry about what the county's threat level color is. Since that time is not right now, I will leave you with this: do not live in fear, but rather in love and happiness, make every day count.
Until next time,
Leigha
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Location:Edmond, OK
