18 Years Later

So, here we are with another anniversary, and not the kind that we remember fondly. 

Since everybody on social media is sharing their "Where were you on 9/11" stories right now, here's mine. I may not remember most of the details anymore, but I remember clearly where I was when I first heard the news, and how much it affected me. Like the saying goes, you may forget words and even actions, but the memory of personal feelings is forever.

I was 13 years old, in my second year of junior high school (North Layton Junior High). It began like any other day, with my dad chauffeuring me to school. Dad always drove me to school because he could take the car straight to work afterwards. (He put me in the driver's seat a couple of years later, when I hit high school and got my learner's permit. Regretfully, I still don't have my official license, but that's another story.) He often had the radio on during our little ride, and he preferred to listen to the news while I liked music better.

So it was through the car radio that I first got wind of the fact of four plane crashes in the same day. The reporter's voice was very shaky, like he was trying very hard not to cry. Being as young as I was, I was definitely startled to hear such news but I tried not to dwell on it too much.

When I got to school, everybody was talking about those plane crashes, everywhere I went; I got a bit annoyed at first, until my teachers began to talk about it in every single class. That was my first cue to pay a little more attention to the story.

Everybody was subdued that day, including my stricter teachers, and classwork was very light, light enough to where we had no homework that day. Of course, I was excited at the prospect of no homework, as any kid would be. But when I went into the school library for something, I caught footage of the Twin Towers on a TV, and that was my second cue that this was far more serious than I'd thought.

Finally, I got home, and Mom was already downstairs with our TV on. (This was back when we had a working television, with cable.) You guessed it: she was watching the news, and the story of the four plane crashes was the sole topic on every station. Every single one.

That's when I saw and heard it all for myself: the planes hitting the Towers, the fiery explosion and colossal pillars of smoke, the wailing sirens, the Towers collapsing all the way to the ground, the people screaming and running away, the grim aftermath of the Towers and the Pentagon, words from President Bush and the Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, and even some footage of Pearl Harbor because, as they said, Pearl Harbor was the last time something of this magnitude struck our country. Just like Pearl Harbor, this was "a day that will live in infamy."

And that's when the full seriousness of the situation hit me, with full force. That's when I felt the shock, the horror, the terror, and the heartbreak, each emotion paralyzing in its own way. That's when I broke down and cried.

Now, 18 years later, I still have a hard time stomaching that footage. I'm very fortunate that none of my family or friends were among the casualties, but I can't begin to imagine losing someone that way, or dying that way. The worst part of it all is that this was no accident; someone was depraved enough to actually make this happen. On the other hand, it's deeply moving to see how much love and support came out of this tragedy, not just from our country, but from all sorts of countries outside.

How ironic it is that only in the worst of times does the best in people come to full light. And how sad it is that our country is so divided such a short time later: divided on religion, divided on politics, divided on race, divided on gender, divided on just about everything. We have differences between us for a reason, but it should not have to take something this tragic to make us realize those differences make no real difference in the grand scheme of things.

All my love and best wishes to everyone affected by 9/11 in any capacity. My deepest respects to the heroes of 9/11 and their heroic offspring. I find it very touching that the children of fallen FDNY officers are now taking their places on the force. What better tribute to such a parent?

And in the immortal words of that sacred song, God bless the USA.

Where were you when the world stopped turning
On that September day?
Were you in the yard

With your wife and children,
Or working on some stage in L.A.?

Did you stand there in shock
At the sight of that black smoke
Rising against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger,
In fear for your neighbor,
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children

Who lost their dear loved ones
Pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people

Who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?

Did you burst out with pride
For the red, white and blue,
And the heroes who died
Just doing what they do?
Did you look up to heaven

For some kind of answer,
And look at yourself
And what really matters?

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning
On that September day?
Teaching a class

Full of innocent children,
Or driving down some cold interstate?

Did you feel guilty
'Cause you're a survivor?
In a crowded room,

Did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother
And tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes,
Hope it never happened?
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset
For the first time in ages,
Or speak to some stranger on the street?

Did you lay down at night

And think of tomorrow?
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

Did you go to a church

And hold hands with some strangers?
Stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home

And cling tight to your family,
Thank God you had somebody to love?

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

And the greatest is love...
And the greatest is love...

Where were you when the world stopped turning
On that September day?

~ Alan Jackson