Ground Zero

I went to ground zero for the first time in 2003. I was sixteen years old and it had been a year and a half since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. I went to ground zero knowing that the experience was going to change me.

As I walked around the area, I found myself reading many of the brightly colored papers hanging on every available inch of wall space. Every single one of these papers had a person smiling back at me. It was with a heavy heart and tear-filled eyes that I read about these people; when their birthdays were, where they worked, when they were last seen… It was so hard to read knowing that many of them were still missing and would probably never be found.

When I was finally able to tear myself away from the missing person flyers, I turned around and saw the gaping scar of what was once The World Trade Center Towers.

America has been forever changed due to the events that occurred on this day eleven years ago. I will never forget how it felt to turn on the news that morning, amidst the confusion and chaos, and watch the horrific events unfold on live TV. I will never forget walking through the September 11th Museum, listening to the voice-mail messages that had been left to loved ones; the desperation and sadness in the voices as they said goodbye to their families is something you never forget.

I hope that those who lost loved ones and all of those who have been affected by this tragic event will find peace and comfort.

We will always remember. God Bless America.