The morning that changed everything

Twenty-six years ago, a journalist with six years of experience sought to further his education to advance his career. He enrolled in a midwestern university known for its affordable and reputable mass communications program. His experience led to him being appointed news editor of the university newspaper the following year. On that fateful day in 2001, the journalist overslept and rushed to get ready, forgoing his routine of watching the news.

Unaware of the severity of the situation, he entered the elevator and heard others discuss an aircraft crash into the Twin Towers. Believing it was a small plane crash, he dismissed it as a minor incident. It wasn't until he arrived at his first class that morning that he realized the gravity of the situation. The class was on terrorism, and a TV was set up to broadcast the unfolding events.

The journalist's lecturer, a retired lieutenant-colonel in the US Air Force, had been stationed at the US embassy in Moscow and was connected with intelligence agencies. She kept her students informed about the unfolding events, including the crash into the Pentagon and the fourth aircraft. The atmosphere in the university theatre, where over 1,000 students and lecturers gathered, was one of shock and disbelief upon witnessing the first tower collapse.

A deafening silence followed, broken only by the sound of sobbing. The university canceled classes and advised foreign students to stay home. Despite these concerns, the journalist ignored pleas to cancel a planned vigil and fulfilled his journalistic duties. The impact of September 11, 2001, remains vivid in the journalist's memory, a day etched in his mind as if it were moments ago.

The terror, sorrow, and anger still resonate with him, along with the memory of individuals who lost their lives, as well as those who showed compassion during that unimaginable tragedy.