Ramblings of a Drifting Mind: Remembering 9/11

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Remembering 9/11

Ten years ago I was in the 7th grade. I had beginning band 1st period, and while the choir director came in to speak to Mrs. Manley (Yes, that really is her name. She was, and still is, married to my high school band director.), we did not stop learning how to play our instruments. In 2nd period we all new something was up, but our Orchestra director told us something had happened and at the end of class we caught the briefest glimpse on the TV as we headed to 3rd period.

I don't remember my 3rd period teacher's name, I know that she was shorter than I was (I wasn't 5'9 at the time but I was still tall.), she had long; dark brown hair; and she always wore heels that clicked loudly, so we always knew when she was coming and had time to get back in our 'good children' routines. It was in 3rd period that all the teachers finally found out what was happening and turned their TVs on, regardless of what else was going on; they needed to see it, hear it, and we did too. So it was that I was in my 7th grade science class staring up at the TV and watching one plane and then another fly into the twin towers, watched them collapse before my eyes, saw the clouds of smoke and the debris. It was horrifying and captivating at the same time.

To this day, I cannot tell you a single thing that happened after 3rd period. I know that we were not released from school, and that we went on with our normal schedules. But I don't remember it. I don't know if it was sensory overload or shock or if the rest of the day paled in comparison to my first 3 hours and thus my conscious decided to purge the unnecessary information. Honestly, I'm betting it was a combination of all three. And I remember everything being compounded when we learned that shortly after the attack on the towers, another plane crashed into the Pentagon and a fourth plane crashed in a field, not reaching its intended target thanks to the brave people on board.

I know that 9/11 brought with it a flood of music that promised we would never forget what happened or the people who lost their lives. It may still be a relatively new addition to the history books, but I think those songs were right: the American people will never forget what happened on this day 10 years ago. I was 11, and I can promise you I will never forget what it was like to sit there and watch the towers fall, the dust, the utter confusion and chaos. I will continue to relive those memories, and I will never forget the people that died that day: the innocent people on the planes, those inside the towers who died instantly, those who were trapped within the debris, and the cops and firefighters who gave their lives trying to save the lives of others. May they rest in peace, and may their families find comfort in the fact that our entire country mourns alongside them, prays for them, thinks of them.

And now, one my favorite songs with an unofficial video tribute: Believe by Yellowcard. Lyrics under the video.

Think about the love inside the strength of heart
Think about the heroes saving life in the dark
Climbing higher through the fire
Time was running out
Never knowing you weren't going to be coming down alive

But you still came back for me
You were strong and you believed

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

Be strong believe

Think about the chance I never had to say
Thank you for giving up your life that day
Never fearing only hearing voices calling out
Let it all go the life that you know
Just to bring them down alive

And you still came back for me
You were strong and you've believed

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe
[radio voice]
again today,
we take into our hearts and mind
Those who perished on this site one year ago
and also,
those who came to toil in the rubble
To bring order out of chaos,
to help us make sense of Our despair

Wanna hold my wife when I get home
Wanna tell the kids they'll never know
How much I love to see them smile
Wanna make a change right here right now
Wanna live a life like you somehow
Wanna make your sacrifice worthwhile

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe
(background voice):Think about the love inside the strength of heart
Think about the heroes saving lives in the dark

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe
(background voice):Think about the chance I never had to say
Thank you for giving up your life that day

(radio voice): The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.