Never Forget

I was almost 7 on September 11, 2001. I remember I was getting ready for school when my mom got a phone call from my dad, who should have been on a plane. He said she had to turn the news on. I remember walking into our living room and re-watching the horror of the towers over and over and over again. I felt that something terrible had happened, something important, even if I didn't really understand it. I remember my mom being in a panic and not knowing what to do. Apparently, my dad had actually been on the runway ready for takeoff when the pilot announced that they were evacuating the airport. Everyone had to leave.

But I also remember that after that day, we all came together. "God Bless America" was the revived slogan. American flags were flown everywhere. "Never Forget" was not just talked about, it was felt. Everyone was more grateful for their families. We were proud of our country.

So today, September 11, 2015 we need to share our stories. Mine is short. I only remember that morning and then the reactions afterwards around the community. But I am 20. Some of the freshman coming into college are not even 18. They were about 4 when the towers were hit. Do they remember? Do they know what it feels like to come together as a nation? Never Forget means sharing what we remember. It means reminding each other that we stand together despite our differences. This is our history and we have the opportunity to write it.