I’m pretty sure you probably have had it up to here with 9/11 reports , specials , television programs , radio shows , newspaper articles , etc. – even if you feel ashamed to admit it. I’m going to be honest and say I’m kinda over the media coverage leading up to today’s September 11th anniversary but nonetheless it’s needed to remind us of what happened and changed the lives of all Americans 10 years ago.

10 years ago. 10 years ago. What was I doing 10 years ago? I (Norma) was in 7th grade in Highland Oaks Middle. I had not received my first kiss yet. I wore DADA Shoes (Google them). And my favorite hobby was stalking boys – pre-facebook days. And on September 11 , 2011, I was sitting in my home room class while they took class role and the television was already turned on. As I looked up I saw the towers , one tower burning already, and the news commentators were reporting it was a plane accident at first. My classroom was a buzz with students speaking about what it might be and the teachers leaving the classroom back and forth while they discussed the events going on. It was pandemonium in Miami, Florida – I can only imagine New York City. I remember sitting there as a pre-teen thinking to myself. Not speaking to anyone the whole time, I thought ,” I will remember this moment for my whole life”. Now ten years later I’m telling you this story.

I now have had more than my first kiss. I’m a 3rd year student in a University. And I still stalk boys – but now I’m more advanced about it. And apart from the conspiracies, the many in-depth reports and documentaries, and finger-pointing – I can say that whats most important that came out of this event is that we can no longer be ignorant to ourselves as a country. We are not untouchable , we are not invincible. We are just as vulnerable as the rest. And we have to be careful and humble as a country. To be honest , I’m the kind of person that like to stay in the box, and I don’t believe all the mumbo-jumbo about conspiracy this and conspiracy that. Stop trying to make something more than it is. Nonetheless, my heart and prayers go out the families affected , I could never understand you pain other than to know your loved ones are now in a better place.

I (Aja) am a bit older than Norma, I was actually a freshmen in high school, sitting in my Home Economics class, TV on, and we all witnessed the second plane hit the towers. I was 14, and still too shy to stalk boys. I was living in Branford, CT and one of my sisters was living in NYC. I was sitting silently, hoping and praying my sister was nowhere near those towers. Luckily she wasn’t. I can’t even imagine what it must be like for the people who actually did lose family and friends. And then I think, what about people in countries that we (America, certainly not me) attack every day?? They don’t have a day to remember this bad thing that happened, they have things this bad happening all the time. Back then I was too young and naive to even think about conspiracy theories or covert government stuff. But now… Point is, it’s a tragedy no matter what way you look at it. HOWEVER, let us not forget and like Norma said, let’s not be ignorant- to things going on in the world- and realize that there is a war going on. America is waging a war on MULTIPLE countries right now, where civilians, kids, moms, dads, innocent people are casualties ALL THE TIME. I say that , not because I don’t think we deserve to mourn, just to point out that we aren’t the only ones suffering. There are LOTS of Americans who were directly affected by this tragedy. Check out their touching stories here.

This is an animation based on a story told by Joe Vigiano, Sr. about his two sons – one a fireman, the other a policeman – who were killed during 9/11. Watch. Via LikeCOOL.

Construction on the new World Trade Center is underway.  One World Trade Center , also known as the Freedom Tower, will be the tallest building in the United States, standing at a symbolic height of 1,776 feet (541.3 m), and among the tallest buildings in the world. It is scheduled for completion in 2013. This is just one building in the many which will be built in place of the two towers and rebuilding the complex of the World Trade Center site. Find out more about the new WTC construction and updates here.

To catch up on the coverage or watch the 9/11 memorial service from the morning anniversary ceremony, click here for full coverage.

Rest In Peace.