September 11, 2001- September 11, 2011
Ten Years Later
It's hard for all of us to believe that the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C. occurred a full decade ago. Though we were just children-- I was nine years old and in fourth grade-- the memories of that day and the news reports we were glued to seem like they happened yesterday. Across the country, I was awoken at five in the morning to watch live footage of the attacks. School attendance was optional, and the day was spent in tumult and chaos as elementary school teachers tried to explain what had happened. Television footage always gives a sense of detachment, and my young brain surely didn't grasp everything. But we all knew that tragedy and history were made that day, and it wasn't something we'd likely forget.
And today, ten years later, that's proven more than true. Not only do we remember the tragedy and heroism that occurred on our soil that day, but we're engaged in a long-term, international war on terror. Our daily lives are impacted by this war-- whether it be on a personal, economic, or social level. Steps are made forward, sideways, and backwards. The war has both divided our nation and brought it together. Today, though, we forget the current war and its complications. We come together in remembrance of lives lost, whether the personal level or the magnitude of the deaths. Candlelight vigils, ceremonies, and memorials are widespread across the country and the world. At Trinity's community vigil at the Chapel this evening, students and faculty gathered to pay our respects. It's a sad day, but also one full of hope and unity as we continue to move forward from this tragedy.
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