The first thing I remember about that day was wrapping up family scripture study before 6 AM. We prayed and less than forty-five minutes later, I was at the church building for early morning seminary. I remember the bishops walking through the halls. I had no idea what was happening. The seminary teacher told us about the planes striking the tower. The rest of the class seem to get it, but I admit I didn’t even know what towers they were talking about. I never heard of the World Trade Center before.

At school, the TVs were on all day. I don’t remember as much cover about the attack on the Pentagon or the plane that went down in Pennsylvania. I would find out more that day (and of course years to follow.) There was an assembly that day. It had been planned in advance with a great motivational speaker. He included what the nation was facing and was sensitive to the day’s events.

The Young Women’s activity that night was volleyball in the backyard of a leader’s house. When my dad picked me up, he was listening to the radio, and it was the first time I heard of Osama bin Laden. My dad said, “This is who they think did it.”

And of course it was. I learned so much about the evil organizations that year. I was sheltered naturally, but I think a lot of people were learning too. No matter what you think of him, President Bush did inspire me with the confidence that we would get bin Laden.

I am so grateful for the 9/11 heroes and those that are protecting the United States. I pray today we will be safe.

Eighteen years ago. Monday night. I think I was wearing my pink flowered shirt from the GAP. Or maybe it was the blue polo one. Life was so-so to me. My family spent home evening at our adopted grandma’s house. Her sister had been visiting for quite sometime, and they were both giddy because they were flying out to the Midwest the next morning. My adopted grandma’s daughter was to drive them to the airport.

My cousin was planning to see Madonna in concert later in the month. My friend’s birthday was Wednesday. I knew many people who had plans. While the world turned off their lights and went to bed Monday night, not too many knew there others that had very big and beyond terrible plans.

I went to bed naïve. I had no clue people could be as evil as I was soon to discover. I also didn’t know that there would be many heroes who would fight for America and do whatever they could to save innocent lives.