I can still vividly remember September 11, 2001. I was a freshman in college walking back from my 8:30 a.m. class back to my residence hall. During my walk back, I was crossing a courtyard and saw a girl crying and talking to her friend. She said, "I can't believe it hit a building" ... I had no clue what was going on.
Upon returning to my room, my suitemate came storming down the hall ... "Turn on the TV!" he said. I asked which channel, and he said, "Any channel!"
There it was ... live on CNN breaking news. The two towers, burning like two smoke stacks. I was in complete shock. At that point we had no idea who or what was responsible for this terrible tragedy.
That afternoon I received an e-mail from my professor for my afternoon class informing us that class was cancelled, and to say a prayer for the victims of the attacks. Countless gatherings and vigil's were already being planned. It was then that I saw the impact of being a member of a close community. Thousands of students, many of whom have family and friends that live or went to school in the New York City area, coming together to mourn, pray, and support one another. We hadn't been to school more than 2 weeks ... we barely had time to meet and get to know each other. But there we were, together during that challenging time.
Today, as we mark the 7th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the impact of those attacks on everything that we do. Regardless of if you support our presence in Iraq or Afghanistan, take a moment to pray for our soldiers who are abroad ... and if you have the opportunity, thank a soldier for everything that they do and the sacrifice that they continue to make.
