Where Was I When The World Stopped Turning

On this day twelve years ago America was rocked to its core. When the day began on September 11, 2001, no one had clue what was in store.

I was 20 years old, I was having my coffee that morning getting ready for work when the phone rang. I answered the phone and my friend told me to turn the TV on a plane had struck The World Trade Center. To my disbelief, I turned on the TV just as the second plane hit the second tower. I continued to watch in astonishment, then news of the plane that hit the Pentagon. Later came the plane that went down in a field in Pennslyvania.

As I sat and watched news coverage, I just wondered what was next, were they done?What was going to happen to our nation? Where we next?  We were being told the President was on Air Force One and was being moved from place to place for his safety and the vice president had gone in to safe keeping as well.

Watching the aftermath was so disturbing. News outlets kept replaying the planes hitting the buildings and people falling from the sky. Many hurt, injured and even deceased. This was war on our home turf, like no one my age had ever seen. The only thing I can imagine it being close to was the day Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

That day the President rallied Americans and promised to find the ones that had done this to us.

In January of 2007 I visited Ground Zero. It was a very erie, sad and dark place. It was cold and quiet. Even with all the tourist there is was silent. At that time it was a construction zone, as they were building the monument. I will never forget standing there in that moment, as tears rolling down my cheeks, knowing what had happened there. The next day I was on a bus tour and the tour guide stopped and said look to the right. We did and he explained that the big whole between all the buildings was where the Twin Towers had stood.

One positive thing that came from that day was the pride of being an American was ignited. Flags were flown like never before, people flocked to their churches and clung to the families. The saying "God Bless America" once again became the prayer of a nation.

"I am proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free. I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me. I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today! God Bless The USA!"  Lee Greenwood

"Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?"