My memories of 9-11-01 start with stopping across from the old courthouse in Brockton, where they were handing out flags right after the news broke. I put one on my car antenna. I remember unity like I never experienced in my country, volunteerism was everywhere. Everybody was united.. ie: "United We Stand". We hoped and prayed they would find some victims alive. I remember George Bush being a great leader and having almost unanimous backing by the people who are now so divided. We were so thankful for the selfless service by the emergency personnel, especially those who willingly gave their lives trying to save the victims of the attacks. I remember Anthrax killing innocent Americans too. We vowed to never forget, but currently it seems that our government has forgot who the terrorists are. Now we all are treated like terrorists, are molested at the airport, gave up our rights and are no safer.

Horrified! JF your correct about the unity in this country after 9/11, if only we could remain that way and show this patriotism all the time not just when something bad happens. We need to set examples for the next generation. I wish the Ames Free Library would display an American flag, maybe that would be a good place to start!

I was so very proud of President Bush holding our country together!! We no longer have that unity with our current President who shows zero respect for the victims of 9-11!!

An American flag that doesn't come with a Made in China stamp.

All libraries have an American flag!! Where is the flag at Ames Free Library???

I was beginning my last year of college, and I was doing some reading for a late class that day. Two out of four of the roommates I lived with went over to the campus for class. Melissa called Jen and I to tell us that classes were cancelled, the campus had closed, and there was a traffic jam trying to exit. She said a plane hit the WTC, and we promptly turned on the TV (and I swear we didn't shut it off for a week, at least). Jen and I watched in horror, and called all of our family members. The others returned from campus and a fifth friend joined us as we dealt with the shock together. We tried to enjoy the day as much as we could. Thankfully, none of us knew anyone in the line of fire that day. However, we thought of a sixth friend of ours who'd travelled on vacation to the Middle East six weeks earlier, and we knew she was due home any day. Sure enough, when we called her family, we found she was due to fly home that very day. Needless to say, her flight was postponed. She had to spend that day in Lebanon watching the Pakistanis dance and rejoice in the streets.
After those first few days I remember the unity, the American flags, the candles, and just a humongous sense of shock, disbelief, and sadness. The 10th anniversary will bring up all of those emotions again, I think, because we'll never forget.