The World Trade Center Tragedy

By Lyndsey Jill Munter

Editor's note: This was written by Lyndsey Jill Munter, a 12th grade student at Jericho High School.

Outside my window it was a clear beautiful morning when I arose on Sept. 11. However, the atmosphere deceived me. How was I to know that a few hours later the most devastating, life shattering, heinous act of terror would occur?

I sat in class watching the gruesome destruction of the World Trade Center on television in disgust. Although a constant flow of words illuminated my mind, my mouth was paralyzed to speak. I became a symbol of a helpless and youthful individual. I brushed tears out of the corners of my eyes. Looking around at the room, I could see the terror in every child's eyes. I could not fathom what was going on. I felt like there was nothing anyone could say or do to even make the situation seem lighter.

Struggling for a loose piece of paper to write the date down, and my thoughts, I remembered a famous speech given by Franklin D. Roosevelt. "A day that will live in infamy" Yes, this day as well, would live in infamy. I realized the importance of love and life, however. A minute spent without loving is a minute of a person's life wasted.

The acts against the United States were acts of pure hatred. Hate in a person's heart can be consuming. However, it is the strength of the youth to decide where the future leads. If hate could be engulfed by an enormous amount of love and honor, individuals could live in a safe and secure society.

I feel a tremendous burden every time I walk out of my house, or hear a plane above my innocent head. Living in fear is no way to live at all. My heart goes out to all the individuals who have lost their lives and or have lost close family members or friends. If there is one thing I have learned from this endless trauma it is to not take freedom and life for granted. The second we, as individuals, allow ourselves to become the targets of insanity, we lose what we're all about.

This morning, I stood, tall and proud pledging to the United States flag. I want to feel secure and safe in this world. It's just as John Lennon said, "Imagine there's no countries. It isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for. No religion too. Imagine all the people living life in peace..." I have never considered myself to be a pacifist. However, I have never experienced a war so up close and personal. I now know how detrimental a war can be. Cherish your life. Cherish the fact that you live on American soil. We are tomorrow's hope for a better future.