America Stands Tall Back to home page

September 11, 2002, is not only the anniversary of a most tragic event, it's going to be a day of remembrance of all the true heroes of our great country -- our firefighters, our police officers, the passengers on the four hijacked planes and the everyday people who did extraordinary things that day.

I visited the memorial in Shanksville, Pa., this summer and I began to realize just how remarkable the "ordinary" people on Flight 93 really were. They were innocent, everyday people who gave their very lives to protect strangers on the ground. Who knows where the plane was headed? The White House? The Capitol? Times Square? Your neighborhood?

The very grace of God was at work through the exceptional human beings on board and it was through them that the miracle occurred. The aircraft went down in a field and saved an unknown number of lives on the ground. The field, as it stands today, is a place of peace and reflection. When you stand there and look out at the very spot, you cannot help but feel the reality of what happened, but at the same time, you feel the reverence of the place where so many souls were taken to heaven all at once.

September 11, 2002 should be a day when all Americans say a prayer of thanks to those who were taken from us that horrible day. They are an example of the sincere hearts and brave spirits that make up the fabric of our country. Although we may hopefully never be called to make the sacrifices they made, we can certainly strive to follow their road of selflessness in our day-to-day lives.

-- Preston Pero, 12, of Salem