The following was written on Sept. 11, 2001.

Early this morning as I opened my eyes, I looked all around me and knew I had reason to smile. I fell on my knees and I began to pray, giving thanks to our Heavenly Father for another day.

On September 11, the morning was new, the sky above was a beautiful shade of blue. The clouds were as white as fresh falling snow. I smiled and said, ‘Thank you, God, for being everywhere.”

What could possibly go wrong on such a lovely day?

School started out like it always has. Teachers ready to teach, students eager to learn. Only minutes into class, the news came over the television and radio, the United States was being attacked.

Students and teachers both cried together, praying for strength for ourselves and our nation. People were running trying to survive. Many did not make it — they paid with their lives.

September 11, 2001, touched the lives of all Americans, black and white, young and old, rich and poor. Even in the darkest of nights, we will remember that day. We will recall the time that a cold-hearted coward made himself a plan to go out and kill innocent victims on American land.

The victims did him no wrong, they never had a clue, but they did know that this cold-hearted coward was one of God’s children, too.

Yes, September 11, 2001, we began to fight a war.

Ann Freeman

Retired West Lincoln Attendance Center educator