This is Johnny writing. I am so sad because next week is the anniversary date to where America was attacked by terrorists. As a result, many people died, and you are no longer standing. The very thought of it still makes me sick inside.
I don't understand why we were attacked in such a cold, cruel,demeaning way. What did we ever do to those people over there to deserve such a horrible thing? They say they do it in the name of religion; I call it MURDER because that is EXACTLY what they did: MURDERED a bunch of innocent people who DIDN'T HAVE to die the way they did.
I am also sad because I remember seeing you several times when we went to New York City, and I couldn't believe how TALL you were!! You made my NECK hurt just to look at you!!! And it was worse for me 'cause I'm in a wheelchair!!
I was born in Germany, but once I got out of the hospital, I was flown to New York City until I went to Tennessee, where I was later adopted. (I don't really remember all of that, but mommy told me about it.) I have always loved NYC, and I somehow feel like I should have been BORN THERE! I love the city, I love her people, and I love the very atmosphere that New York City has. It is always full of excitement, and there is always something to do; in NYC one is NEVER BORED!! Every time I go to NYC I am always SO HAPPY!!!!
I saw you, WTC, just two months before you left our world, and I really enjoyed it. But now you are no more, and it still makes me sick and sad inside. Now the Anniversary date is FAST approaching, and I will see the horrible images of you being on fire and then falling into a cloud of smoke and dust; and I will again have nightmares. I haven't really slept all that good since that day, and I am feeling scared and upset again as that day approaches.
I know the terrorists want me to be scared, but I sometimes can't help it. I am only a little boy, and I saw things that day that I shouldn't have NEVER seen, like with those people jumping to try to escape the flames; plus I knew some people who lost friends when they died in your buildings. Or the planes hitting you and your twin, and the feeling of shock and helplessness I felt when it first happened, not wanting to believe, but somehow, knowing deep down inside that this WASN'T a bad dream. It was a bad day all around, and I know I will NEVER FORGET!!!!
I still can't believe that you are gone; NYC just DOESN'T look the same without you gracing her skyline!! I REALLY MISS YOU!!!!
I WILL NEVER FORGET!! GOD BLESS AMERICA AGAIN!!!!
Love,
your brokenhearted friend, Johnny Sandusky, aged 9 1/2 years.
