They told me I would remember that day forever

And I do.

Everything about it.

I remember getting on the bus headed to school {6th grade}

and the bus driver had the radio up loud...it was talk radio.

I kept hearing over and over

"...buildings have been hit by planes...tourists..."

Ya, I thought they were saying tourists

because up until that day I had never heard of a terrorist.

Where were you when the world stopped turning, that September day?

When I got to school my teacher started class like normal

she told us to start our cursive while she checked some things.

She was listening to the radio.

I remember her stopping us and trying to explain what had happened.

To an 11 year old, you don't grasp the horror

especially when you don't know war or terrorism.

Were you in the yard with your wife and children or working on some stage in L.A.?

The principal came on the intercom and said some words, not many

and I don't remember what he said

but I do remember the somberness in his voice.

All the adults looked sad, lost, somber.

Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke, Risin' against that blue sky?

I finally got home and turned on the tv

every channel had reporters talking to people in New York

People of government, all kinds of interviews

but what I remember most are the images.

The video of two planes hitting two buildings I had never heard of before.

At age 11, I knelt and prayed and teared up.

Knowing that so many people had been lost in the flights and those who worked in the buildings.

I remember looking at newspapers for the next couple weeks

I even have cutouts of stories and images

I saved them knowing my children should know about it.

I've never been more proud to be an American.

I remember.

And I will forever.

Where were you?