In Remembrance
Ten years ago today, I was sitting outside a computer lab in Elliott Hall on the University of Minnesota campus. I needed to print out a paper for class and I was a little drowsy so I was sitting on a bench kind of dozing, waiting for the lab to open. Just as the lab was opening up, another student came up and said, “Did you hear? A plane just crashed into the World Trade Center.”
At the time, I had no idea of the significance of the event. There was no TV in the lab and trying to access news sites online proved pointless; there was so much traffic to the web sites that they stopped responding. So upset and confused as to what had happened, I made my way to class. But when my teacher walked in, she was crying and could barely speak. It was only then that I learned what had really happened. I still get upset thinking of that morning.
When you experience a national tragedy like that, you can’t help but remember the events of that day, even the mundane little things. I have great Aunts and Uncles in Hawaii who can tell me exactly what they were doing when Pearl Harbor was bombed. In fact, a Japanese plane actually shot at a couple of them.
Now it doesn’t matter if I knew anyone personally who died during 9/11; we were all personally affected and feel a great loss for the those killed and for all those who gave their lives in service of their country, that day and every day since. I will remember them. We all will.
We must always strive to remember the past, honor the brave and innocent, but most importantly, carry on. Because tragedies like ten years ago will not break us. The best way we can remember the past is to continue living each and every day, loving those dear to us, and not giving in to fear and sorrow. And that is exactly what I plan to do today, how about you?
