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I Shall Not Forget
September 11, 2011
By Christy Riley
Teen Scribe
To see photos and a brief description of the event by Christy Riley, click here
Today I went to downtown Greenville to see a ceremony and parade off of
Broadway as it commended the 10th Anniversary of 9-11. The ceremony
took place first at 2:00 p.m. and was followed by a parade at 2:30 p.m.
Afterwards, an open house was held at the Greenville Fire Department
for the Greenville Fire & Police Department and it was open to the
public.
Thoughts from the people I talked with, also from some of my facebook friends...
“I was in school. I was upset because there were a lot of people in the
world trade center, [I] didn’t know if they were alive or dead. I was
12 years old when it happened and knew what was going on.” Elizabeth.
“We were attacked. I was moving furniture for a friend. I [will] never
forget it. We lost a lot of our freedoms because of security, rules,
and regulations.” Robert Foster, U.S. Air Force.
“[I was] at school in [the] fifth grade. [It] influenced me to become a
firefighter.” Seth Monnin, Fire-Fighter Greenville Township.
“[I was] in high school, I went to Versailles. We [had] just started
French class. I have a much greater appreciation for first responders
and our armed forces.” Lindsey Johns, EMT.
“We were laying bricks at the Bradford High school. I think it [has],
made us more aware of how vulnerable we are as a nation.” Craig.
“I was [at Ansonia] High School in English [class]. I feel it has
brought people together: Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, people who
serve in the community, and people of the community. It has brought us
[all] together.” Deputy S. Shell, Darke County Sheriff Department.
“I was at home and it was around 8:30/8:45ish that morning. I came out
of my living room to watch Jerry Springer and it wasn’t on and they had
the news bulletin on for some reason. And I wondered why my show wasn’t
on yet and then it came on the TV that we were attacked. I was freaking
out because I wondered if we were next or how many more places were
bigger/or could be attacked. It made me scared to death because if we
weren’t safe in our country, where in the world WOULD we be safe? It
also scared me because of one my cousins lived in Brooklyn and I feared
for her safety.” Josh.
“I was in the navy, 300 miles off the coast of Iraq when the towers
were hit. And less than a week later, we launched the first counter
against them, you know it as Operation Enduring Freedom.” Daniel
Barley-Wittler.
“Let us today… never lose resolve [of] what was given [to us] so long
ago; and what was given on our behalf.” Jim Buchy, Ohio State
Representative for District 77.
My thoughts on that day...
In recalling that day, I will never forget because to me it felt as if
the whole world had been turned upside down; and my faith in the
defense of our great nation had been shattered. Following the
aftermath, Americans rose the occasion by reaching out to help one
another and we grew closer as nation as a result. We were tenacious,
persevered, never gave up, and united in our resolve to not allow this
tragedy to defeat us.
In respond to 9-11, we must remember to not let it keep us from moving
forward and reaching for tomorrow. It is good to remember the past and
to honor those who were lost that day, yet it does it no good for the
past to weigh us down. As we remember that fateful day 10 years ago,
may we all take the time to pray for the families, service men and
women, armed forces, and veterans who lost loved ones and friends. May
we not forget to thank veterans, fire fighters, nurses, doctors,
police, and everyone who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of
America.
Todd Beamer put it best when he said, “Are you guys ready? Lets roll.”
Do not let this day be just another one that goes by, decide to
remember 9-11 in giving thanks that you are an American and free.
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