Seventeen years after the tragedy, America is still shaken up from those planes that hit the Titan Towers and Pentagon. The amount of lives affected by the terrorist acts that occurred on September 11th, 2001 is too tremendous to count.
My family was just a few of the millions on millions of Americans who were thrown into a state of sadness, confusion and anger. My own mother, who was pregnant with myself at the time, was beyond emotionally rattled.
The nation as a whole endured a giant hit. Time stopped. Americans was sent into a state of shock.
Cris Hoffman, my grandfather, vividly remembers what happened that morning, while he was taking care of his mother in Highland Mills, New York:
“While we were having breakfast, my wife called. She said, Are you watching TV?’, to which I replied, ‘No, I’m not.’ , and she said, ‘Well, turn it on.’ “ said Hoffman
The first image Hoffman and his mother saw was reporters trying to maintain their composure after the second plane hit the south tower of the World Trade Center.
“I had multiple emotions go through me as I saw what unfolded. I was in a state of shock, surprise, anger and disbelief. It is one of those moments in history where everyone remembers where they were on that day,” said Hoffman.
I have watched over 5 hours on Youtube on documentaries of the day, footage from the tragedy, and people’s reactions to the attacks. Just one glimpse at the emotion on people’s faces told the entire story of the situation our country was in.
Though initially shocking, the first responders forces wasted no time in saving as many people as they could. The selfless acts have not gone unnoticed, as their brave sacrifices for the people trapped inside is forever remembered by memorials across New York.
Hoffman, a veteran from his work in the Air Force, believed his military instincts kicked in when the situation occurred:
“[The first thought that ran through my head was] why was our military not better prepared for this? What’s going to happen next?” said Hoffman.
Millions were left in a state of hopelessness, but that emotion did not carry over long. Thanks to the leadership of then-President George W. Bush, and improvements in airport security, our nation has never been stronger.
However, the lives affected that day will always be remembered by the survivors and citizens nationwide.
17 years after the tragedy, our country stands together, stronger and more confidently than ever.
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