Remembering 9/11

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina R. Menchaca
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  "Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?" this is the first line of Alan Jackson's song "Where were you", written in the wake of the September 11 attacks, and every time this song plays it makes me wonder how we could forget what happened on that day.

Early Tuesday morning on September 11, 2001, I was sitting in my 6th grade class room and trying not to fall asleep, not thirty minutes into class our principle came onto the intercom and said that the World Trade Center had been hit, at the time I didn't understand why my teacher was crying or why we were all told to call home, but I did know that it wasn't a good thing.

That day more nearly 3,000 men and women lost thier lives and more than 6,000 were injured. As the reports came on the television, I sat in the living room with my family and watched in shock and horror as the buildings burned and fell.

I was too young to fully comprehend what had happened and it wasn't until years later, when the smoke had lifted and the ruble was cleared, that I knew that the war we were fighting was for those men and women who died that day, for every person who lost a loved one.

In response to the attacks the U.S. launched the War on Terror and enacted the USA PATRIOT Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001). Many other countries also began to strengthen their anti-terrorism legislation and expanded law enforcement powers.

Eight years later, I enlisted in the United States Military, everyday that I serve I remember what happened and I pray for those who lost their loved ones, for the brave men and women who gave their lives that day and everyday since to maintain the freedom that we have today.

I am and always will be an American and as our former president George W. Bush, Jr., said that September day, "This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before and we will do so this time."