I'll always remember where I was on 9/11

I've been thinking about this date a lot this week, contemplating the events of that day, where I was when it happened, how all of America felt when we watched horrified as thousands of people suffered. I read this article on CNN this morning ("Rumsfeld, Bush speak at Pentagon 9/11 ceremony"), noting the moments of silence being observed throughout the morning, flags at half-staff, and victims' relatives reading their names at Ground Zero. Mayor Bloomberg quoted an Irish proverb: "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal."

I will never forget where I was that morning. It was my first week as a freshman at USD, and I woke up to the sound of my dorm neighbor pounding on my door. Coincidentally the night before, that same neighbor had told me this elaborate (and untrue) story about how WWIII was starting, so she didn't really have much credibility at resiting world facts. When I woke up to her knocking on the door and she told me planes had just struck the World Trade Center, I didn't believe her. I almost went back to sleep because I thought it was the same antics as the night before...

It only took a few seconds to process the emotion in her face and realize these events were true. USD cancelled classes that day, and I spent the morning in my PJs watching CNN on the TV in the game room.

One week later, the Chargers' stadium (Qualcomm) filled up with thousands of San Diegans who united to read the names of the victims. I still remember the photos of Qualcomm Stadium- which has the largest parking lot in America - filled to capacity with mourners.

Some people remember where they were when Kennedy was shot. I could never relate until 9/11. I will never forget that day, nor will the rest of America.