Commentary By Ashley McCleery

The North Jefferson News



I cannot believe it’s been six years since 9/11. Most of you probably spent yesterday paying your respects, remembering those tragic moments and recounting your story of where you where when it happened. Well, I’d like to tell you my story.

I didn’t know anyone killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, nor did I even know anyone living in New York. But it didn’t matter. The attacks changed my world view forever.

Sitting in a rather boring Spanish class my junior year of high school, I was anticipating the bell to end my misery. No me gusta aprender espanol — hopefully that translates into “I don’t like learning Spanish.”

Suddenly, my teacher heard commotion in the halls and left the room. Without a word, she came back into the classroom and turned on the TV. And, there it was — the burning twin towers.

At first, I didn’t even pay attention because I thought it was a science fiction film. It wasn’t until I watched the second plane hit the twin towers did I realize it was actually happening that moment.

The bell rang, but my eyes were still glued to the screen. I walked in a daze to English class, and then continued watching the horror once I sat down at my desk.

Then, right before my eyes the towers crumbled. My class was silent, and when I looked around I realized almost everybody’s eyes were glazed over with tears, including my own. No one knew what to do or say, so we sat in silence watching the screen.

As I watched this real nightmare, I couldn’t help but the think about the grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, granddaughters and grandsons that were disappearing along with the towers.

I grieved for thousands of people I had never met or even knew existed. My heart bled as the tears poured down my cheeks. And, my grief did not end when the coverage of the attacks did.

For the first time in my 16 years of life, I understood the depravity of man and the importance of forgiveness. Even though I wasn’t directly affected by the attacks, I had such a difficult time forgiving those who participated. Honestly, I think it took a year before I could really say I forgave them.

I could also see unforgiveness and fear in the eyes of my classmates. Throughout the year, I saw them forgive but not forget. I don’t think anyone will ever forget, especially those in my generation.

This was the first incident in which we realized that America is not untouchable and indestructible. We learned that we need to value or freedom and not become too comfortable in our safe country. For once, we understood that we must pray and fight to keep our country a melting pot, accepting those who have the same skin tone as the ones behind the wheels of those planes.

And six years later, I still think of Sept. 11 quite often. I don’t dwell on the horiffic events, but rather the lessons I learned from them. I hope you all are doing the same.