“Commending the victims to almighty God’s mercy, I implore his strength upon all involved in rescue efforts and in caring for the survivors.” — Pope John Paul II, Sept. 11.

It was the first semester of my senior year of high school and I was in English class. The principal made an announcement I didn’t listen to and then the TV in our classroom began broadcasting what was happening. I sat on top of my desk for some reason. I was really intrigued, terrified and confused and couldn’t turn away. I immediately thought of all my family in NY. My grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins and wondered if they were OK. I wasn’t one of the cool kids with a cell phone so I couldn’t call my mom to ask or get any sort of update. I recall going home after school and watching the footage over and over and over. The sight of the 2nd plane hitting the towers still gives me chills to this day and every single time I hear a plane flying over head while at home I fear it may be another attack.

On this day, I pray for the families still mourning and for those still suffering the residuals of that day. I pray for the troops overseas who are fighting a seemingly never ending battle and as cheesy as this may sound I truly pray for peace. God Bless!