By Cindy Christy Fertsch
My morning began like any other on that fateful day. I dropped my kids off at school and completed my walk around the neighborhood. We didn’t have cell phones yet, so I was oblivious as history was unfolding.
“Something terrible happened…turn on the television,” my husband spoke in a somber tone. I froze as I watched the first tower fall. The reporter, along with thousands ran and cowered from the debris. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I watched as first responders climbed stairwells in an attempt to save those trapped in the burning tower.
Then the unthinkable happened. The second tower collapsed. Thousands of innocent lives were lost in that horrible moment.
As we began to hear about the plane crash in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon, it was clear America was under attack. I feared what could be next. A half day of kindergarten never seemed so long as I waited to bring my children home and hold them close. Everything I took for granted felt uncertain.
The hours that followed seemed surreal. Although all flights were suspended, I will never forget the sound of the military jets roaring overhead as I lay awake in bed that night.
We watched the stories of despair on the news, lives lost, and families desperately looking for their loved ones, through rubble and debris. We also heard stories of heroism, courage, and faith.
We will, nor should we, ever forget. We honor the first responders that put themselves in harm’s way to help others that day and every day, along with the soldiers that fight to preserve our freedom.
Never forget and God Bless America.
