9/11 memory impacts senior
E-mail
Comment
Senior Stephan Melendez reflects on the 11th anniversary of 9/11, remembering everything that went on that day, both at home and in New York City.
America, struck with tragedy, was left in shock at 8:52 a.m. on Sept.11, 2001. In seconds our country was forever changed; millions of people confused, surfed the internet, made phone calls and watched the news for any information of what happened in New York City.
Only being in first grade, I remember this day vividly, as if it were yesterday. I remember my father receiving a phone call from his business partner telling him to turn on the television because "America is under attack." When my father turned on the television the second plane was only seconds away from flying into the South Tower. My father's jaw just dropped as he gaped at the television in awe of what he saw.
That day I was kept home from school to be with my family and I remember praying and just watching the news for more information. I knew something was wrong because that night while eating at a restaurant, all I could hear was the chatter of the news at every table, discussing and arguing over what happened.
The TV showed people running from all corners of New York's financial district, covered in white dust and some with face masks on; while this was happening, the New York Fire Department raced the other way to fight the fires and help rescue people still trapped in the mass.
"9/11 changed us as a country because we are no longer naive in the sense of security for our country, and we have made more improvements to protect our land we call home. Over 2,500 people were lost that day, innocent lives were taken, we, as a country should never forget 9/11 because of the historical mark it has made on us." --Stephan Melendez, writer
In fact, my father had just come back from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the month before and stayed at a hotel near the site of the World Trade Center on his way back to California. Nearly three months after the terrorist attack, my father had to go back to New York on business. He said Lower Manhattan did not look the same, the ground where they stood was void, empty without them.
One day out of curiosity, I asked my brother about 9/11 and he replied with, "what's 9/11?" Immediately, I was frustrated because I had experienced the tragedy from my house on the screen that day. I don't want people to forget about 9/11 and I especially don't want my brother's generation to go through life oblivious of this point in history and have no personal effect on their lives.
Though he was only in first grade, Melendez vividly remembers the events of Sept. 11 and hopes that as a country, we will never forget about the innocent lives that were lost through that tragic day.
9/11 changed us as a country because we are no longer naive in the sense of security for our country, and we have made more improvements to protect our land we call home. Over 2,500 people were lost that day, innocent lives were taken, we, as a country should never forget 9/11 because of the historical mark it has made on us.
All around the country people were in a state of shock but at the same time, no matter the gender, race or beliefs, we seemed to come together as one nation and help support those who were suffering from the aftermath. Even through one of the hardest times as a nation we stayed together and sought through it.
Like many events around the country today, the eleventh annual California Memorial 9/11 observance will be held at Schneider Electric (Formerly Pelco) at 8:30 a.m. The ceremony will include a wreath placement, a 21 gun solute, a flyover and more. The Fresno Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital will also be hosting a remembrance memorial and unveiling the "Heroes Showcase" at 10 a.m.
As the primary elections are on their way, both presidential candidates, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, will not be airing any political commercials on TV, in honor of 9/11.
For more opinions, read the Sept. 10 article, USC film school develops senior's passion.
Tweet
Posted by "Austin Rurik" on September 29, 2012 at 1:01 a.m.
I still remember to this day where I was standing when I found out that America had been attacked. I still remember my moms words when she saw on the TV screen that America had been exploited. I still remember the steps I took to my living room and in front of the TV where I sunk into a chair and glued my eyes to the screen for almost four hours straight.
This is me as a eight year old. gluing his eyes to a TV screen to watch the news. I did not go to school that day. Fresno Christian closed for the day. I was so scared. I thought World War three was right around the corner. I was fearful that this showed a nation full of weakness. Giving other nations a chance to believe they could come on our soil and tell us they did not like us.
Religious Phanatics? It doesn't matter. Anyone can come to our nation and blow up a building and it gives Americans a reason to doubt. and Nations who hated us a reason to believe. But how did we respond to this as a nation?
We became unified as one. Unified as men and women. Americans. Sharing one common bond. We needed security and safety.
And together as one, we confidently had that. In other words. Stand firm, as one. There is no room for selfishness and pride in this country. That destroy's nations and empires (Romans, Babylonians, The empire of Alexander the Great, Sodom and Gommorah, Nineveh). How can we avoid this. Lay down your life for your brothers and sisters.
I applaud anyone who has gone into government jobs since 9/11. Military in any branch, Fire, Police, National Guard, even the reserves. If you have become a politician since 9/11 trying to rebuild America on the values it was created on, I stand and applaud you.
God bless any man or woman who has put their country before themselves. I will pray for you and your families daily.
Hume, CA