Today, Tuesday, Sept. 11, marks the 17th anniversary of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a plane that went down in Pennsylvania but was believed to be headed to Washington.
We at WNYNewsNow wish to prayerfully remember those who lost their lives and those who died in service to their country in responding to the calls.
Justin Gould – Like many in my generation I was very young when the United States of America was attacked on September 11, 2001. I remember however taking a walk with my mother and baby sister around our neighborhood early in the morning before daycare. It was eerily quiet during our walk as if almost as all of our neighbors overslept. When we returned home my father was standing in front of the television with a horrific look on his face. I was too young then to truly understand the devastation brought upon our great nation that day. Our world changed forever following the heartless acts committed by men acting like monsters. Growing up in what many called a “post-9/11 world” we were filled with fear, fear of the unknown. Filled with hatred of men who lived thousands of miles away. Filled with grief for the loss of innocent lives. America was also filled with a great spirit of nationalism that day. A unity so strong that strangers were brought together to rally and fight for freedom. May God bless the survivors, the fallen and the families of those impacted on September 11, 2001.
Matt Hummel – They say you don’t always remember certain events when you are young. I was only three-and-a-half when 9/11 occurred, but I remember that day like it was yesterday. The fear in my parents’ eyes. The shear devastation that our great country displayed. Never, in my brief 20 years of existence, have I seen unity in our country like I did for the next few years following 9/11. Although 9/11 serves as a day of great pain, loss and sorrow, we mustn’t forget the unity and cohesiveness that our country experiences. May God be with those who are still hurting, physically, emotionally, or otherwise, from that horrific day.
Dakota Hunter – While I was quite young, I do remember that day quite well. I was in First Grade and they didn’t make an announcement in school, likely due to us being so young. I found out once I got off the bus and walked into the house. My parents were glued to the TV with a look of fear and sadness in their eyes. They had told me that very bad people flew airplanes into a big and famous building in New York City. It wasn’t until I got a little older that I finally understood the magnitude of the event that day.
Rory Pollaro – I remember it like it was yesterday and it still rips into me. I get physically ill when I recall that day. It forever changed the America we once were. It is hard not to hate when I remember that painful, gut wrenching day. I ask God daily to help me not to hate, but it’s impossible in and of myself. That day, I prayed, gave blood, donated money and cried tears of anger, despair and patriotic furor. This was my generation’s Pearl Harbor. I will never forget those days and the sense of loss. But I also will never forget that we came together as a nation. Politics, religion, gender and all our other little tribal groupings, fell by the way and we stood arm in arm to face this menace. It is sad it took such a tragedy to unite us and I wish there was more unity in our nation now. May God keep those who died under His wing and bless their families and friends.
