Way back when I used to write.
A friend sent me an article I wrote after the events on September 11, 2001. I was 29, single, and the world as I knew it was changed forever.
A Life-Altering Event
By: Ursula Nicole-Sutch
- As I sit here trying to find the words to write, I am finally reacting to the events of this historic week. Do I cry uncontrollably or scream out in anger? Is it wrong for me to stay quiet or should I become an activist for America? I am so confused it physically hurts.
My heart goes out to the families and friends of the deceased and missing. My strength goes out to the fire fighters, emergency medical personnel, police officers, volunteers, Armed Forces, and the leaders of our country. I am humbled by the incredible determination in the eyes of these people. Thank you for risking your lives for so many.
Tuesday morning I was sitting at my desk working, like all of those in the World Trade Center and Pentagon, when all hell broke loose. My entire department huddled around one computer stunned in disbelief. As we returned to our desks, another alert sounded and the Pentagon was hit, then another plane crashed outside of Pittsburgh.
It was (and still is) incomprehensible. As the events unfolded it was like watching a Hollywood movie because this does not happen in the United States. This is America; we are one hundred feet tall and bulletproof!
TOO CLOSE TO HOME
My mother and I held a candle light vigil outside of our home symbolizing hope, love, and support. I have watched the news reports, read the papers, viewed the pictures thousands of times and just now it is beginning to sink in... we are vulnerable. Five days later I have finally realized that the events of September 11, 2001 are in fact real.
Many of those affected by this tragic act of violence are members of my community. My company has four Capital Management team members missing; coworkers have friends who are deceased and missing.
What really hit me where it hurts are the countless victims that are in my generation. I could have been one of the innocent lives lost at 29 years old.
You see my generation has never had to deal with war. We are a generation raised on video games, television, and computers. We have never questioned our safety or freedom.
The veterans and law enforcement officials have been subjected to our ignorance as we selfishly enjoy the freedom they provide for us. The heart and soul of who they are and what they do were never instilled in our souls. It’s almost as if we are empty shells wandering around aimlessly searching for some meaning to our lives.
We were a generation lost, but thanks to this horrific act of terrorism we have been found.
My generation has not actually felt the pain of a Nation in distress. We never had to ration or enlist like our grandparents. The word 'draft', up until now, has been the term used in racing. We were never taught the true meaning of what it is to BE an American.
The history books tell about the wars but not the passions associated with them. Family members and friends who served in various tours of duty told us tales of heroism, but never stressed the importance of those actions. No one person is to blame for this, it’s just the way time has passed since those memories were repressed.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
I was born in America, Philadelphia to be exact, but on September 11, 2001 I BECAME an American. I now see why we are the land of the free and the home of the brave. When I adorn the red, white, and blue; breathe in the air outside; and see City Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall I can finally feel patriotism. It’s as if a blindfold has been removed from my eyes and I can see what I have been hearing about for decades.
I once had a friend very near and dear to my heart that was a member of the Marine Woman’s Auxiliary and a staunch supporter of fire fighters. Her civic pride always mystified me. She lived in a small; close knit New Jersey town and I just presumed that was their way of life. Big city life is the complete opposite. You don’t know your neighbors let alone your local fire fighters.
We never had a conversation that did not include a mention of the local fire companies or her work with the Marines. How sad I feel that I finally know why she felt that way and cannot celebrate my newfound pride with her. I know she is with me in spirit and will help me to keep this new light shining brightly.
WAKE UP CALL
Living in the City of Brotherly Love, we are a target like New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., but never once have I let it curtail any part of my life.
I will still fly, attend events where thousands of people converge at one time, voice my opinions, and go on with my life. I hope other Americans will do the same. We cannot live in fear. We must be resilient!
In the shadow of this new pride and patriotism I still continue my struggle to understand why we have to deal with this act of terrorism. Adding to this is the news that my cousin will be deployed with the Navy next week and war is imminent. All of these emotions make my heart heavy, braided with worry and pride.
As the courageous men and women work tirelessly in their search and rescue/retrieval efforts in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, I will do what I can in my own backyard to support them. Even though I may never understand the reasons behind this heinous act I will go on... WE must go on.
WE SHALL OVERCOME
Grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, spouses, and friends have been lost forever, but their spirits live on. I am a firm believer of everything happening for a reason. Maybe this happened to give us a wake up call, to make us realize all that we have taken for granted for too many years. Whatever the reason, we are all irrevocably changed forever. Let’s make this a positive change.
I truly wish the cowards who attacked us could read this. I know I am not alone and they need to know that too. Everyday more members of my generation wake up to this same realization and our Nation becomes stronger.
They foolishly thought they could bring the United States down to their level. Well, surprise, surprise, She is not made of mortar, brick, and bodies alone. America is an idea, a spirit, a passion... an eternal flame.
As hard as they try, they cannot extinguish our eternal flame... but they will be burned by it. God bless America!