SEPT. 8, 2002
Sept. 11 2001: A day that will not be forgotten.
By: Chad Bacon
I thought that I would add my memories and thoughts about Sept. 11, 2001, into our Family Tree. So that future members of our families might know that their was a human side to this act, that will be in American history lessons in few years to come.
I remember sitting that morning watching TV and just flipping though the channels to see what was on . As I channel surfed I saw a skyscraper on fire on the Fox News Channel. So I stopped to see what was going on thinking it was overseas. While look at it I realized it was the Twin Towers in NY. At that time they where still thinking it was an accidental plane cash, instead a terrorist act. I didn't see the second plane hit. I was out of the room taking care of Miranda. When Miranda and I returned to the living room. We saw the second tower was on fire. Then they said another plane hit the building, I thought it had to be an act of terrorism.
Jodie had left for the chiropractor and had taken Nissa to school. She didn't know what was going on. I knew there was no chance that it would happen here in Wausau, WI. I still was worried about her. When the third plane hit the pentagon, I worried even more because who knew how many more planes were high jacked and what where their targets. I knew WI has some nuclear power plants that could be a target.
The last plane Flight 93 hit in a field in PA. It also had been high jacked . No one would be found alive. The plane was vaporized when it hit. Now, we know it was headed to the capital building in DC.
There would have been more dead if it weren't for those heroic passengers of that flight. They knew what was happening to the other high jacked plane from their family members, which they had called on their cell and on flight phones. So, they tried to take the plane back. This is where the catch phrase " let's roll " came from. Todd Beamer had said it to his fellow passengers as a cue to try the take over.
I was angry that someone had done this to the USA. Also, very sadden by the destruction, and lose of life that took place. But, the day wasn't over yet.
Just after I got ahold of Jodie at work, the first tower fell. This was the south tower, and 2nd to be hit. I sat there in disbelief that this was happening. After, they with stood the bombing in 1993, but there it was they had fallen right before my eyes. While I was trying to come to terms with what was happening, the 2nd tower fell. Which was the first tower to be hit. The north tower stood about 30 Minutes longer then the south one did.
When I went to work that day everyone was in shock, including me. Everyone on first shift was asking what was going on. I asked what they knew and told them the latest news. While I was at work the confusion, like what happens on a battlefield, took over. Rumors abounded and fear took in about a shortages of gas. So people rushed to get gas. Jodie said it was nuts at the gas station that she was working at at the time. Some gas stations even ran out.
It is said "every cloud has a silver lining". I think the Silver lining that day was, that we stop being NEW YORKERS or WISCONSINITES, and became ONE NATION and ONE VOICE. We stood together and said WE WILL MORN OUR DEAD, WE WILL HELP OUR INJURED. BUT WE WILL REMEMBER . WE WILL GET JUSTICE FOR OUR FALLEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS. FOR THEY WERE AMERICANS LIKE ALL OF US.
It is now a year later, the living keep on doing the work of the living, but the day is not forgotten. Time may deaden the details, but we remember. Because justice hasn't come yet, and the wars end isn't in sight yet. So, we remember and go on about the business of living. But, over all we remember the dead. There was over 3000 dead and missing. We remember life before this. Which felt more safe. We just remember. President Bush may be given the credit for getting us Americans behind him on this war on terror, but I say it was Todd Beamer who got us ready for this with two little, but huge words " LET'S ROLL ". That is what we did. For that is our war cry, as in WWii it was" remember Pearl Harbor"
