Patriot Day

Matt Beck | Editor

They say December 7, 1941 is a “date that will live in infamy.”

Then September 11, 2001 is a date that changed the world.

The most common question asked is, “Where were you on 9/11?”

Most of us watched in shock as events unfolded that would forever change history.

I remember I was in first grade at Saint Francis Elementary in Allentown. My teacher had just received a phone call to put the tv on. I watched as her jaw dropped in disbelief. She tried to gather herself. She took us outside where we all looked at New York on the outside map as she attempted to explain the events.

Shortly after, chaos took hold. In a blur, I was in my mother's arms, asking her what she was doing here? I learned later that she was evacuated from the PPL building because they thought it was a possible target.

I never talked about this day because I never really could grasp the events. The day itself had such an impact on my childhood, on my life in general, that I wouldn’t be who I am or believe what I believe about the human race if it wasn't for September 11, 2001.

See, what you're shown mostly is the horror of that day built on fear and hatred. One hundred ten floors in each building, 10 million square feet, and an estimated 13,000-15,000 people had evacuated mostly by stairs. In a time span of around an hour there were 2,763 deaths--including the first responders who gave their lives to save others. The death toll at the Pentagon reached 189, including flight 77. Finally, we must not forget flight 93, which was headed toward the White House, where 44 innocent people died. Every single last one of them is a hero. The acts of selflessness on this day are beyond me. This is the definition of America, and it should be a day of remembrance.

Never forget we rebuilt what was destroyed, but what was taken can never be replaced. Never forget September 11, 2001.