9/11: Personal Impact

We are nearing the seven year anniversary of the September 11^th suicide attacks on the United States that truly impacted so many in our country. When al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial jet airplanes the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon were hit. After an attempt for the passengers to retake over the fourth plane, it crashed into Somerset County in Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 died as a result of the attacks and just about 3,000 victims were injured as well. The aftermath of this tragic event lead to the United States declaring a War on Terrorism and invading Afghanistan. Everyone has heard so much about the facts and logistics of these events but I would like to focus on the more personal side. I would like to relate these events to everyday people and illustrate the effect they have had on citizens of our countries and their families.

At the time I found out about the attacks, I can remember sitting in a study hall class of my junior high school. I remember being completely clueless and not realizing what had really happened. As the student body began to talk and discuss, I began to understand the true impact of what had just happened. Staff and students in my school were in a state of panic about loved ones and concern for our country.

Before the attacks had occurred on September 11, my school had been participating in a student foreign exchange program. Before and during the attacks, my school had students abroad and there were foreign exchange students participating with my school. That day, the host students from my school as well as their exchange students were on a field trip in New York City. The students and staff in my school were franticly trying to get in contact with those in New York to find out where they were and if they were okay. It was unimaginable to think that we could lose some of our own students. It would be awful to have to explain to parents in another country that their children were involved in a major United States terrorism attack.

On the morning of September 11, four planes were heading for California from Logan International Airport, Dulles International, and Newark airports. American Airlines flight 11 and United Airlines flight 175 were flown into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center. American Airlines flight 77 was flown into the Pentagon and the fourth plane was United Airlines flight 93. The fourth plane was planned to be the ultimate target but fortunately did not make it to the United States Capitol Building.

Part of my schools plans for their trip consisted of traveling to the World Trade Center for a tour. My school was completely aware that the students, chaperons, and exchange students could be in real danger. Meanwhile, the students of my junior high were not allowed to see anything on television to view the live reports or know the status of our fellow students. We did find out later that those in the senior high across campus were allowed to view the live footage. Fortunately, we found out later that our group in New York City was on the ferry on their way over to the World Trade Center. They were able to view the tragic events and the second plane crashing from the ferry and I’m sure realizing that with any different timing, they could have been there. When we were finally informed of the placement of the group, the student body took it pretty hard that our students could have been injured during the events.

These events lead to nothing short of a tragic day for so many in the United States. Now being in college, I still discuss the catastrophe that happened that day. I learned that on September 11, 2001, my now roommate in college could have been hurt that day as well. She was traveling with Circus Smirkus and was about to get on a bus to the Pentagon. They had a scheduled tour that was immediately canceled and they were sent somewhere to wait it out. They were kept safe, but again the reality of fifteen minutes further in time raced through her head.

The thoughts of herself being in danger were put aside because her dad worked in New York City everyday. She worried about her Dad all day wondering if he was okay or if he was hurt. She found out later he was in the process of walking to work and was okay. September 11, 2001 was a tragic day for many as they agonized over loved ones and friends wondering if they were okay. Meanwhile for some, death or critical injuries were a reality.

After September 11, 2001, the memory of the attacks did not just simply disappear. Many were in a mourning process and the coverage of the attacks was the center of the news for a long time. I can remember it being on constantly in my house as we all tried to learn more about why it had happened and what our countries repercussions were going to be. We wondered what they would do about the buildings and if they would rebuild them.

The damage to the Pentagon was repaired within a year of the events. Unfortunately there has been a large controversy over what to do about the World Trade Center. Of course for some, the sight was an illustration of death and many didn’t want to see the old buildings be quickly replaced with new ones. There has been discussion about where to build the new buildings as well as what their design should be.

We can be nothing but thankful to all of those who contributed to the cleanup and recovery after the attacks. The numerous amounts of firefighters and police officers who helped recover bodies and clean up that massive amounts of debris are true heroes.

The real question was what our country was going to do to fight back against this attack of terrorism. The events had major political ramifications globally. Just about one month after the attacks had occurred, the United States lead international forced to remove Taliban from al-Qaeda. Pakistan helped out the United States by providing many military bases and airports for its attack.

The goal of the War on terrorism, sought out by President George W. Bush was an aim at bringing down Osama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda. Osama Bin Laden was thought to hold responsibility for the attacks. Our country wanted justice and wanted to further prevent any terrorist attacks that could occur in the future. The surveillance in our country had to increase and military sanctions against states occurred. Another crucial piece to the United States invasion was to take out the Taliban rule of Afghanistan, by a U.S. led coalition. Other countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia have had past conflicts with Islamist terrorism. They too increased their military readiness and awareness for the possibility of terrorist attacks.

Even after the actual events on September 11 occurred, families around the United States couldn’t stop worrying about their loved ones. The war in Iraq has a serious impact on people in our country. There war or Operation Iraqi Freedom is an ongoing conflict in the U.S. that began on March 20, 2003. Iraq was an imminent, urgent, and immediate threat to the United States after the September 11 attacks.

Many citizens of the United States felt it necessary to go and defend their country. Aside from the massive amount of those already involved in the military in some form, many took part to join in and put their efforts in for their country. I remember personally not knowing anyone who was in a military type situation and in a foreign country. I heard stories of other people’s families but I never had to truly worry about someone I was close with.

As I got older, this became a reality for me as I began to be in the face with more and more people who were joining in the military. It began with a friend I had throughout high school. We got very close my senior year and I had discussed with him his plans for after high school. He had told me numerous times that he wanted to join the Marines and defend his country. I guess I never really took it too seriously until after he graduated. I had just finished my freshman year of college as he was graduating and he was leaving for boot camp. His parents had a huge going away party for him with all of his friends and family. It then became a reality for me that I really had someone I would worry about and wonder what he was doing at any moment.

He cam home after his boot camp and training and my group of friends all got together once again. Unfortunately after this get together, his leaving was much harder. He was actually leaving for Iraq as my friends and I all had to say goodbye.

Too many people around the world have to worry about their friends and family everyday because they choose to be honorable and defend their country. One of my best friends has dealt with a situation just like this one as well. Her brother, like my friend, chose to join the Marines when he graduated high school. He has also said all along that it is something that he has wanted to do for some time and he is going to follow through with his plans. He left for Iraq about two weeks ago.

The most interesting story I have come across, in my own opinion, is the sister of a fellow teammate of mine. Ever since her sister was about thirteen years old, she has been talking about going into the military and being a marine. For a young teenage girl, this seems slightly outlandish but she was determined to follow through with her goals and dreams. She began at a young age by getting involved in a summer program called the Young Marines. It was like a boot camp style camp where she learned all about the marines. It was even lead by Marines themselves.

She was aware that college was not for her and she wanted to go and defend our country. She is currently a Marine and her job is giving schedules for each day to pilots in the military. She also informs them if they need to go through extra physical training if they are overweight. They cannot fly until they meet the weight and physical training requirements. She will be leaving for Iraq this July and will be responsible for this when she gets there. As far as she knows at this time, she will be staying on base for the United States in Iraq.

Though she will most likely be staying on base, her family must still deal with the hardship of a family member in a foreign, unstable nation. It’s interesting to hear the story of a woman who wants to stand up for what she believes in and put herself out there. It can’t be easy for any family to have to go to sleep at night knowing a member of their family isn’t with them and is in a situation like that.

The September 11, 2001 attacks have lead to nothing short of an everlasting impact on our country. From the time it occurred and created shock all over our country up until today with the war still going on, the feelings of people cannot be expressed. From hearing the stories of my friends and their life situations of family members being involved, it can’t be heartfelt enough. I truly feel for all of these people as I’m sure we all do. Dropping everything in their lives to go and join the military for our country is a life decision we can all be proud of and thankful for.