A Senator's Account of 9/11

September 11, 2001 -- a day associated with tragedy and heartbreak in our nation. The history of this day is very well known to most every American.

This day is forever etched in my memory. I was in pre- K at Frederica Academy in St. Simons Island, wearing Winnie the Pooh overalls and drinking a Capri Sun during snack time when our teacher told us our parents were all on the way to pick us up from school. There was no explanation given because what kind of 5-year-old could ever fathom the catastrophe that had just taken place? My dad lightly described the situation and at that moment I swore to never fly in an airplane.

Many airplane flights later, my AP U.S. Government class had the opportunity to Skype with United States Sen. Johnny Isakson on the 13th anniversary of America’s greatest calamity. Coincidentally, I was able to ask him what it was like to be in office on the day of the terrorist attack. The sense of terror and disgust was still present in his voice even 13 years later. He told us that after the members of the U.S. government were evacuated to safe places they each gathered at the Capitol later that evening. This time with pride in his voice, he said it was their job at that moment to restore the faith of the Americans.

It was at that moment on Thursday afternoon in my classroom here at Darlington that the true strength and determination of the American government became so prevalent to me. It was so interesting to hear Sen. Isakson’s responses to our questions about national security, the environment, and government policies all in the midst of our own U.S. government studies.  

Click here to view a photo gallery of our Skype session with Sen. Isakson.