Emotionally overwhelming 13 years later

Dalton Sweat
Editor

It’s been 13 years.

Just think about that for a second, because that feeling I got in my chest when thinking about 9/11 this morning didn’t feel 13 years old.

Everyone talks about remembering where they were or what they were doing when it happened. I believe I was walking into History class with Coach Milner at Wimberley High School. I remember walking in and Milner simply told everyone to sit down. Once the class was full, he told everyone a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center, and we didn’t know if it was intentional or accidental. I can’t remember if he turned on a TV at that point or played something over the computer, but I believe I remember listening as the second plane crash.

I say I believe I remember, because the actual terroristic act and the immediate moments surrounding it is not what I remember most from that day in 2001. I do not remember exact details like so many generations have talked about “where I was when Kennedy was shot.” I vaguely remember where I was that day in September.

What I do remember is the feeling. That feeling that sits in my chest 13 years later, as clear and hot as a Texas summer day. It’s the feeling I felt on September 11^th, 2001 and the feeling that grew over the days that followed.

Hearing people call into a radio station this morning on my drive into work and talk about their experiences gave me chills. Over and over again, I could feel the emotions tingling up my spine.

The emotions came roaring back when a man called in a remembrance for his uncle, who had died on Flight 93. Thinking of “Let’s Roll” and the passengers on that flight who fought back literally brought me to tears for the first time in who knows how long.

And then I remembered the days that followed.

These chills are different then the ones I felt moments ago.

I remember a time when the country was united. In fact, it’s probably the last time the country was united. Since then, we’ve spilled into a divisive mess from top to bottom. From the heads of our country to your Facebook friend, everyone is looking for someone to blame. It’s always “their” fault. The problem is, in these situations, “they” means us. The “they” people talk about is still the United States of America, whether it be our government, politicians or people.

The weeks and months following 9/11, “we” was the United States. “We” was the people in New York, even if they are Yankees. “We” was the person next to you, because we were united. That feeling was overwhelming.

I remember walking around school, or town or anywhere and hearing the chants of “U.S.A! U.S.A!” People would chant in the hallway or during NFL games on TV. I remember the patriotic shout at Wimberley Texan pep rallies and football games.

This unity is what transcended the political problems or societal differences in our nation.

That’s what I remember from 9/11.

We will never forget those people who lost their lives and the armed forces who stepped up to protect our country. I hope we never forget the feeling of unity that followed. It might just be the last time we ever feel it.