I love this song by Alan Jackson because it keeps those memories and those feelings from September 11, 2001 alive inside of me. There are a lot of things that Americans have in common, but one thing that ALL Americans have in common is that we went through this day together and we will all tell the story of that day to our children and our grandchildren. Everyone’s story is different and I have really enjoyed reading some of the other stories today of where people were when they heard or saw the news. Keeping those memories alive will honor the victims, honor those who are fighting for us and have been fighting for us in the years since that day, and will bring us all together.
I was a sophomore at Louisiana Tech University and September 11, 2001 was the first day of classes. I worked in the Admissions Office and I was walking to work from my apartment. When I got to work, it had just happened and a coworker had heard the news in the radio on her way in. Someone ran home to get a TV so we could stay updated on what was going on. I went to my first couple of classes and both were cancelled. No one could focus or concentrate on anything because we were overcome with worry. The University hosted a blood drive that day and my friend and I went to donate blood. I finally got in touch with my parents and had a little relief there. I wasn’t worried for their safety, but I needed the comfort of hearing their voices. I was supposed to go to Shreveport that night to see Matchbox Twenty, but we decided not to go. The concert ended up being cancelled after all. I went to the Methodist church in town and the place was packed. We held hands and sang patriotic hymns and prayed. The Alan Jackson song really hits home because I did some of those things that day.
I haven’t forgotten.
Where were you when the world stopped turning? I’d really appreciate hearing your story of where you were on September 11, 2001.
