15 years . . .

This Sunday marks the 15-year anniversary of what is still considered one of the most heinous attacks on American soil. On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airline Flight 175 crashed into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.

Though both towers would collapse less than two hours later, the spirit of the American people didn’t go down with it. Sure, there was plenty of time to be afraid. I remember going to the cafeteria for breakfast at Chadron State College and stopping dead on my way to a table, my brain not really comprehending what my eyes saw on the wall-mounted TV screens.

As the day went on, I still couldn’t wrap my mind around it. I called friends and family to see if they had seen the news; several were concerned that Nebraska might be targeted as well, due to the various missile bases across the state. My brother was coming to the end of his tour with the Army, and I wondered whether this meant his time would be extended.

I think reality finally set in when I heard al-Qaeda was a suspect in the attacks; somehow, knowing there was somebody responsible is what really drove it home. At the same time, there was a change in attitude around the campus, from silent mourning to vindication. I remember Twisted Sister’s famous “We’re Not Gonna Take It” certainly took on new meaning, and of course several musicians — particularly Country artists — composed ballad after ballad about the attacks.

Three years after 9/11, I had the opportunity to visit New York City, and was amazed — just as much now, writing this, as I was then — of the respectful silence around Ground Zero, in the otherwise noisy metropolis.

This Sunday, let’s take a moment to remember those — in whichever way you choose — who perished in the attacks on 9/11.