Sunday, September 23, 2012

102 Minutes That Changed America


                While browsing Facebook last Tuesday, I was scrolling through my news feed, occasionally stopping to see what selected people had to say. After reading several posts I realized today’s date; September 11th. How could I have forgotten one of the most historical events of my lifetime?  As I continued to scroll, I noticed a post made by my 7th grade social studies teacher. It was a link to a YouTube video titled “102 Minutes That Changed America.” It was only 10:30 and I didn’t have another class till 11:30, so I clicked on the video.

 

 

                We all know exactly where we were and what we were doing on September 11th, 2001. It’s something that we will never forget. I remember sitting in my second grade class, listening to Mrs. Blick read Charlotte’s Web when Mrs. Helms, the other second grade teacher, knocked on the door. When Mrs. Blick got to the door we all got quiet, trying to listen for any little word that might give us the edge over our other classmates. Although none of us could hear anything being said we all knew its significance by the overwhelming gasp from Mrs. Blick as she placed her hand over her heart. Seemingly distracted, Mrs. Blick closed the door and went back to the front of the room. The always smiling Mrs. Blick was now facing a room full of alarmed second graders, eager to know what had happened. But instead she forced a smile and then continued to read the book. Now that I am older, I realize how hard it must have been for Mrs. Blick to return to her class of naïve second graders and try to pretend nothing had happened.

 

                Some of you may have similar recollections to me, while others may be more significant. But the most important ones that we should hear are the ones documented in these 102 minutes. None of us will ever be able to fully comprehend what these people went through on that early Tuesday morning, but it is important for us to be reminded on this day of the lives that were taken and how it truly changed America forever.

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