I Remember.

I Remember being 15 years old. I Remember it was a Tuesday. I was a Junior in Coach Troy Williams' history class. And then I Remember the news - an airplane had hit a building in New York City. Was it an accident? I Remember the quivering tone of our administrators as they walked through the halls notifying the teachers. Why were we stopping class to watch the news? I had never been to New York City and I didn't understand the significance.

And then I Remember watching the small television in our classroom as a second plane hit the other building. Shortly after, the Pentagon's attack. Then a plane crashing in Pennsylvania. Still unsure of what this meant, I Remember a moment of fear that maybe there were more planes with evil intentions - were they going to hit Dallas?

I Remember school being let out early to be with our families. I still didn't comprehend the impact. I Remember sitting in my room with my mom. She was on the computer and I asked her if she could take me to my then boyfriend's house to hang out. She said no and I proceed to get a 15 year old attitude. I don't have much more memory of that day, but I Remember her looking at me and saying "Jen, you don't get it. This is a big deal. The world will never be the same." I don't remember if I went to Richard's house that night or not. I don't remember what I had for dinner and I don't remember September 12th. I just Remember nothing would ever be the same.

I've been to Ground Zero two times since the attacks. Sombering is the most appropriate description. You feel an emptiness as you walk. Life is moving on within the surrounding blocks of the Financial District, but in that place life stands still. So many victims, yet so many heroes responded at that very site.

I Remember May 2011 - 25 years old and Osama Bin Laden had been killed. Closure to the last ten years? I can't say so as the emotions from 9-11 are still so raw. The images, the coverage, the stories, the pang inside your gut as if it was yesterday. Terrorist still desire to harm and weaken America. Ten years later, it still hurts to Remember. We Will Never Forget.