15 Years Later – My Story on 9/11

Unless you were directly affected by the horrific events on 9/11, it's an easy but sad topic to discuss every single year... and usually one of the first questions you'll hear is: Where were you when it happened?  I know I'll never forget...

I was 20 years old and a sophomore at Winona State. Our science lab had been let out early, so I decided to run to the Smaug and grab some breakfast. When I got there, it wasn't loud at all... in fact, it was quiet and felt like a library. I noticed that everyone had their complete attention on all the TVs on the walls and no one was talking. Not ONE person. I took a quick glance and saw a building on fire on the screen but shrugged it off as I was more intent on filling my stomach and taking advantage of the extra time I had between classes.

I then raced through a quiet line and stopped at the kiosk to pay for my meal, but even the cook who was supposed to take my money was locked onto the screen. I asked her what was going on and she said we'd been attacked... it was an act of terrorism.

At that moment I took my food and raced back to my dorm room to alert my roommates Josh and Rob of what had happened, but they were already up watching the action. Then as we all sat and watched TV together, I thought they were showing a replay of the first plane crashing... but to our horror, it was a second plane...

Not surprisingly, we began receiving emails saying that classes were cancelled the rest of the day. I remember being glued to the TV screen not wanting to miss a minute of any of the reporting. We discussed the events of that day with our close friends later at dinner and we were all just shocked.

I remember the chaos and scrambling to the nearest gas stations that night as well. My Mom called and told me to go fill up my tank in fear that gas would sky-rocket to over $5 a gallon, so I jumped in my car and drove all around Winona for the smallest line, and when I found one I still waited in it for over 30 min before I could fill up my half-empty tank.

I also remember laying in bed that night and praying that the man who was responsible for all of this would be caught!

15 years later, I can still wake up on 9/11 and remember every single step I took that day.

Please take a second and honor the memory of those who lost their lives this day 15 years ago, those who continue to fight for our GREAT Nation and to those who have lost their lives since.

God Bless the USA! ‪#‎NeverForget‬