On September 11, 2001, two planes were coming from a New York airport heading towards California. Only they didn’t make it anywhere near California, in fact the planes never left New York. It turns out that Arab terrorists who decided to crash their planes into the World Trade Center in New York City hijacked the planes. About an hour after the attack the famous twin towers collapsed to the ground and the once beautiful New York City skyline was left with nothing but huge towers of smoke.

I was deeply saddened by the events that took place that morning in New York City, for my father, three uncles and many close family friends were all at the scene of the attack. No one should ever have to experience the terror that my family went through that day. All day I asked myself, “Why is this happening?” “Who could do such a thing?” And most importantly, “What’s coming next?”

I knew that any day our country would be at war with Afghanistan, and that’s what frightened me most. I always heard such heart wrenching stories of the wars in the past and I had never experienced a war or a terrorist attack like this. Its funny because about three months ago I used to be afraid to go to school in fear there may be some sort of school shooting and my mind was set on the fact that guns should be banned. And now three months later I feel that we are safer to have them around, and a school shooting to me sounds like absolutely nothing.

Our country suffered greatly that day and for the first time America was under attack on our own soil, but at least something great came out of it. That day our whole country came together as one. Everyone helped each other, everyone cried together, everyone mourned together, and everyone helped our country survive this attack…together.

The entire day was filled with grief and horror. Everyone prayed and everyone came together. I think at least two out of every three people were praying and waiting for that one phone call, that one tiny phone call that to them would mean either the start of a new beginning or the continuation of a life they knew and loved. For my family, we continued on living each day the same as we ever did because our loved ones came home. But, I cannot imagine just how many families have to start all over again, beginning a new life without the ones that mean the most in their lives.

I feel this attack will change American citizen's lives forever. America will fight back, we will get our revenge, but I just pray that we take great precautions. Many terrorists are locked away but who’s to say how many more are still out there, still in our country, all waiting for us to make our move on their country so they can take their next giant stab at our country.

by JL age 17