Never forget.

It’s been 16 years, and everyone still remembers. Notice how I didn’t say only Americans remember. I’m sure that many people across the globe, allies and enemies of the U.S. alike, haven’t forgotten the events of September 11^th, 2001. They have since changed the entire world. No one will forget it for years to come, especially the ones directly affected by the tragedy.

I can’t claim to know anyone who lost family and friends on that day. I don’t know any of the courageous police officers, firefighters, and other public servants who did everything they could to help the victims. I could say that I know friends of my friends who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Middle Eastern countries shortly after and continue to serve because I do. But even then, that’s tangential.

I can only share my personal story about 9/11. Over the years, I’ve had people tell me, “Well, you weren’t even old enough to recall.” I get why they say that; I was only 8 years old. However, I do remember where I was, at least. I sat on the floor of my living room in Little Rock, and I hadn’t gone to school yet that day. I’m sure that school ended up being canceled anyway. I was watching TV and saw both towers fall. I believe my mom was on the phone, presumably with my dad, as she stared at the screen. I remember the news anchors being unable to describe what was happening, the panic in their voices. Of course, as an 8-year-old, I didn’t feel anything profound at the time, and I didn’t understand what was going on.

It was quite a while later, when I was in high school, that I could finally start to reflect on each following anniversary. I think it was early on in high school, so I was a freshman or sophomore, meaning that it had been 6 or 7 years. I was in marching band during first period, and we were practicing inside that day. The front office made an announcement and had moment of silence. Once that ended, my band director decided to talk about 9/11 further, and as he did, he began to cry.

That’s what truly triggered a mournful feeling inside of me and my understanding about those events. When I witnessed someone who I cared about, who all 200 people in that room cared about, weep as he shared his experience, I cried too. A lot of us did. A man we loved and respected had completely opened up in front of us, his students. That was the first time I was affected by 9/11 on a deeper level.

Today is September 11^th, 2017. Right now, with this piece, I reserve a moment for personal recollection and also hopefully pay tribute.