I remember where I was when the planes hit the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. I remember the shock and the horror.
I was sitting in front of my computer, at work in northern Jerusalem, banging out yet another manual, when the guy sitting next to me exclaimed, “a plane has hit the World Trade Center!”
I was surprised but thought that it could only have been some idiots joyriding in a private aircraft – and had an accident. I went back to the book I was writing.
When I heard Sam exclaim again, “and the building is burning!” I knew that this wasn’t joyriding idiots. This was serious, and we rushed to one of the meeting rooms that had cable TV.
Someone had beat us there and we stared at the TV as smoke billowed from the North Tower.
Then, as we stood watching, the second plane hit the South Tower.
I will never forget the shock of that moment. It was the end of America’s innocence.
All of us knew, then and there, that America had finally experienced what we in Israel had to live with every day, and we were devastated by it. To Israelis, the US was an example of what Israel could be, one day. When the Twin Towers fell, some of the hope for that future fell with it.
The United States of America was no longer an island of serenity and prosperity.
This coming Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the destruction of the World Trade Center, the attack on the Pentagon, the hijacking of four airplanes and the murder of more than 3000 innocents.
Unfortunately, America’s enemies plan more and greater atrocities, especially on this coming commemoration of 9/11. May God bless America and keep her safe.
But, if we experience more attacks, know that God holds us each in the palm of His hand.
May God be with you all.