My 9/11 Memories from DC

Today is the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists hijacked airplanes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington and a field in Shanksville, Pa., killing thousands and changing the world we live in.

I was in Washington, D.C. on that day.

I was a sophomore at Georgetown University. I didn't have any early classes so I was sleeping when a roommate of mine came in to tell me about the news that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center.

We went over to the television and watched the events unfold. The Pentagon was struck and, as it is located across a river from Georgetown, the smoke from the crash could be seen from the south end of the campus.

Understandably, people were concerned as there were rumors that Washington could be attacked again. I called my family back in Northern California to assure them that I was safe.

There were other former Carmichael students watching the events unfold in Washington that day. Among my Georgetown classmates were Mark Hackard, a fellow alum, and Laura Hart, a who played on the Hoyas' women's volleyball team.

The days, weeks and years have gone by in a new world. We no longer may take for granted our freedom. We've been through war, two presidents, flying with heightened security and more.

Today and always, let us remember those who lost their lives 10 years ago and thank the men and women of the armed forces.

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