My Thoughts Today on 9/11
Posted by Andrea Lyn Van Benschoten at 9/11/2010 9:01 AM 
Categories: New Jersey, New York, Inspiration
Categories: New Jersey, New York, Inspiration
Today is not about two so-called men of God as many may have you think. Today is about the scar on our great country that will never really heal. Today is about remembering those who lost their lives, those who worked to save so many and those who have been left behind without parents, children, siblings, spouses and friends.
As I write this, I am listening to the reading of the names. To everyone now, whether they know someone lost on the day or not, they are more than just names. They are the first lost in the war against terror and those who want to destroy the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States of America.
Years before, there was an attempt on the World Trade Center. On that day in 1993, I was preparing to attend a bridal shower. We had no idea that this event was the beginning of a war against us and our way of life.
I have an interesting story I want to share about the World Trade Center. In the late 1990′s, I went for a job interview at what I grew up calling The Twin Towers. I was told to get there early so I would have time to go through security. That was the only time I was ever there. I immediately fell in love with the grandeur of the buildings and knew it would be great to work there. During the interview, the gentleman I was meeting with made a point of telling me the job would be located in the building. That there were some individuals who were uncomfortable with that after the 1993 bombing. My quote to him was “I would love to work here and I am not afraid. Lightning doesn’t strike twice.” How wrong I was.
As I watched those buildings burn that day, I thought about the man I met with. I never heard back and didn’t get the job. I don’t remember the name of the company or even which building the job was in. But I remember him and wonder if he still worked there. If he made it out. If he was OK.
Like many, I remember every minute of that day. I remember leaving work and going to the school where my high school friend’s mother worked. Her husband worked in the World Trade Center Complex. I remember her holding a paper plate with a number scribbled on it where he would be that day. That look on her face I can’t describe. The school principal and I tried to get her to leave and come home with me, but she wouldn’t. Thankfully, her husband, who I always called Papa, was OK.
I think Mayor Giuliani said it best this morning. He remembers many terrible moments that took place nine years ago today. But he also remembers many great acts of caring and kindness that took place, both on that day and on the days after.
As I do every year, I pray today for all those who lost their lives, those who were directly affected and all of us as a nation. God Bless the United States of America.
As I write this, I am listening to the reading of the names. To everyone now, whether they know someone lost on the day or not, they are more than just names. They are the first lost in the war against terror and those who want to destroy the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States of America.
Years before, there was an attempt on the World Trade Center. On that day in 1993, I was preparing to attend a bridal shower. We had no idea that this event was the beginning of a war against us and our way of life.
I have an interesting story I want to share about the World Trade Center. In the late 1990′s, I went for a job interview at what I grew up calling The Twin Towers. I was told to get there early so I would have time to go through security. That was the only time I was ever there. I immediately fell in love with the grandeur of the buildings and knew it would be great to work there. During the interview, the gentleman I was meeting with made a point of telling me the job would be located in the building. That there were some individuals who were uncomfortable with that after the 1993 bombing. My quote to him was “I would love to work here and I am not afraid. Lightning doesn’t strike twice.” How wrong I was.
As I watched those buildings burn that day, I thought about the man I met with. I never heard back and didn’t get the job. I don’t remember the name of the company or even which building the job was in. But I remember him and wonder if he still worked there. If he made it out. If he was OK.
Like many, I remember every minute of that day. I remember leaving work and going to the school where my high school friend’s mother worked. Her husband worked in the World Trade Center Complex. I remember her holding a paper plate with a number scribbled on it where he would be that day. That look on her face I can’t describe. The school principal and I tried to get her to leave and come home with me, but she wouldn’t. Thankfully, her husband, who I always called Papa, was OK.
I think Mayor Giuliani said it best this morning. He remembers many terrible moments that took place nine years ago today. But he also remembers many great acts of caring and kindness that took place, both on that day and on the days after.
As I do every year, I pray today for all those who lost their lives, those who were directly affected and all of us as a nation. God Bless the United States of America.
I was driving to get my car serviced this morning and 104.3 on the radio had a moment of silence and then they played John Lennon's "Imagine." I cried thinking of being at school, where we could see the smoke coming up the Hudson and trying to calm 36 students and figure out if they had parents working in NYC. We made sure that every child had someone who would be at home. Most were picked up, one at a time from the office after identifying the adult. We got dribbles of information from the principal who walked to each of us and let us in on what was happening. I almost fell down when I was told that the Pentagon was hit. I was shook to my core. My students now were babies then and don't remember except from what they see on TV. We talked about 9/11 and got a flier to post asking that everyone fly the flag today. Our house has a flag out every day since 9/11, with a light and displayed according to the regulations. I go up to soldiers and thank them for their service. I try to instill in my students a sense of pride in America. Most of them don't consider America their country and wear bracelets of their parent's countries, although they were born here. The country has changed.
Reply to this