we will never forget...

today marks the memorial of a life-changing day in american history, as it is the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist bombings in new york, washington, d.c., and the averted plane in pennsylvania.

similar to those from previous generations and their remembrance of their exact location when JFK was assassinated, or when japan attacked pearl harbor, or when neil armstrong took his first steps on the moon, i now have the memory of my place on earth on 9/11 forever burned in my mind. it was a school day, in the first few weeks of the academic year, and during my freshman year at kayhi. i don't know why i was home, as swim season was underway and i should have been at practice before school, but i turned on the tv after getting dressed that morning and saw the newscast about the planes crashing into the twin towers. it didn't hit me what those images meant, rather i was annoyed that EVERY channel featured the same story, just different reporters. i ran upstairs to tell my parents, who didn't know what had happened yet. i began to realize what a big deal the crashes were, but still felt a sense of disconnect since it didn't affect me personally.

when i got to school, i spent my english class watching the broadcasts in mrs. bowlen's room--same room and same tv as today. the point where i started to feel a connection to the tragedies, besides seeing the crying faces on the screen, was when we found out a couple of the teachers had family members in the nyc area and were unable to reach them right away. in one instance, i remember it taking several days to hear that the person in question was alright and accounted for.

the country went into lockdown mode; major airports were evacuated, all flights were landed and the skies remained silent...everyone was at risk, because we had no idea where the next attack would come from. there was even worry in ketch, but then again who would hit a little insignificant island of 8,000 people? however, anchorage and the aleutians were theoretically at-risk because they provide a gateway to the lower 48 through canada. feelings were running chaotically and there didn't seem to be a relief in sight. the following days and weeks and ultimately, months, showed the same heartbreaking and terrifying images of jumping figures, tear-stained faces, and angry directed at the radicals who had perpetrated the devastation. airport security increased exponentially, anyone of middle east descent became suspicious, and troops were sent overseas at the declaration of war.

9 years later, little has changed. the troops have been slowly coming back home, but hundreds have died. people still are fearful of anything muslim-related, despite the fact that the terrorists were radicals and not even acting in the name of islam, but straightforwardly attacking america. we all still need to work on tolerating and accepting others, as well as honoring and respecting those who have sacrificed their lives for our safety.

it's been 9 years...but we will never forget.