09/11/2026
25 years ago today I sat in Biology class as a 10th grader in Kissimmee, FL when the country, I grew up thinking was invincible, was attacked.
Someone down in the school office told everyone we were under attack and our teacher, Mrs. Yeasel, immediately stopped teaching, turning on the 32” old tube tv that was mounted to the wall in our classroom.
I’ll never forget watching the smoke pour out of the first tower, praying for everyone’s safety and wondering if it was just a freak accident.
Then as we watched the newscast, the second plane slammed into the tower and we all knew this wasn’t happening by chance…this was America under attack.
With our school being less than 10 miles from Disney World, rumors started circulating that Disney was a target and we needed to evacuate. So parents were called and school ended early that day, as we made our way home in a shell shocked frame of mind.
While we were waiting to leave the school, I remember the fire fighters and other first responders running toward the danger I was seeing on the screen. The scene was pure chaos but there was a sense of calm and bravery as they worked to evacuate the towers.
Just before my mom came to get me, the towers collapsed killing thousands of innocent people.
When I think back on that exact moment in time, I remember every high schooler hunkered down in that room, talking nervously amongst themselves about what we’re seeing unfold, go deathly silent.
Not a word. Just tears and sniffles.
Then after a minute or two of shock…one of our teachers in the room stood up, faced the tv and started reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
After a few lines, myself and the rest of the students stood up and joined in. Never in my life had I felt such patriotism and pride to be an American.
Tears rolled down my face as I said the Pledge. I’d said them so many times as a child, but as the towers crumbled, people died, and first responders sacrificed their lives, they took on a whole new meaning.
Everyone remembers where they were on 9/11/01. It was a day that you just can’t forget, etched into our core memory banks for eternity. Please share with us and others your story, because the younger generation needs to know the truth of how we felt that day. Don’t be afraid to cry and be emotional when sharing. Our kids and others that weren’t there will benefit from seeing true emotion as we remember.
Black Bear Axe Throwing will ALWAYS honor our first responders and military personnel. We cannot put into words how grateful we are for your service to this great country. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
MAY WE NEVER FORGET AND GOD BLESS AMERICA
