Everyone will forever carry a personal image of last Tuesday's horror in the USA.
| It’s scary to think what else will come from this horrible tragedy, but for the first time in my life I feel part of something bigger. |
Flight UA 175 appearing to be swallowed by the South Tower of the World Trade Center before its fiery detonation blew the heart out of the 110 storey building.
The collapse of its sister building, the North Tower, a cascading mass of glass and concrete; an exhausted New York firefighter curled asleep in the rubble with his equally exhausted dog. Images that will remain for a lifetime.
But how will young people remember the last historic week?
South Yorkshire youngsters told Children's Express Sheffield what they thought. We also include an exclusive interview with a 17 year old New Yorker about her experience.
Amy Trotter, 15, Firth Park
The moment I saw what was happening I froze. I couldn't understand why the two towers had been hit.
When the North Tower collapsed, I could scarcely catch my breath. I kept thinking of all those trapped inside. To watch those people jumping out of the building was terrible.
For the next couple of days everyone seemed to be in shock. I think people did still not believe it was real, that it was too much like a movie. You would watch it on the T.V. over and over again, to get it into your head, because it just wouldn't sink in.
I read about the people in the planes, the phone calls they had to make. How horrible it must have been to try and explain to your family that you would never see them again. What would I have said or done?
When I realized that if there is another war, Britain will help America, the reality hit. If we do go into war, more families will be lost. Is it worth thousands of more people dying?
If I could say anything to those families who have suffered, it would be no matter what has happened, don't look back, look to the future. The scars will heal in time.
Gemma Cook, 15, Shiregreen
My first reaction was bewilderment. I couldn't really understand what was happening.
My younger sister, Beth, is terrified of flying, and was due to fly to Spain the next day. Every time she came into the room we had to switch off the TV.
I saw families searching for their loved ones and I felt my stomach churn. Questions went through my mind: 'What kind of people could something like this?' and 'Why is left for a few people to decide the fate of so many ?'
I felt sad and angry. Anger turned to apprehension when, two days later, I saw that President Bush was contemplating war. I truly hope that this can be resolved, and that the hearts of all the families who have lost friends and loved ones will mend.
Imran Mohammed, 15, Fir Vale
I think the attacks on the USA were terrible as thousands of innocent people died, but I would not call for an all out war involving many nations.
America also needs to obtain sufficient evidence to determine those who organized these attacks.
This may take several months or even years, but then real justice can be served, instead of speculating that it was Osama-Bin Laden.
I think these attacks were inevitable as the USA had been warned that supporting Israel would lead to retaliation.
I agree with President Bush that America needs global support, with one exception, which is to leave Pakistan out of it. Pakistan is the neighbour of Afghanistan, who have threatened any neighbouring countries who assist the United States. This could lead to another war.
Despite the threat by the Taliban to the Pakistan government, Pakistan has still offered help to the USA which I think takes a lot of courage.
Gohar Khan, 15, Firth Park
Many Muslims around the world condemn these acts of terror, yet still fear the potential war between Islam and America.
The sad attacks of terrorism in New York and mainland America will never be forgotten.
Terrorism takes place in many areas of the world and needs to be put to an end.
Whoever was responsible for these attacks, whether it was Osama-Bin Laden or another terrorist organisation, they have done great wrong.
It is atrocious to use aeroplanes as flying bombs to kill thousands of innocent people
Laura Quint, 17, Marlboro, New Jersey
Throughout the day almost half the students left school early to be with their families. It's hard to believe that everything that happened is real. Hollywood effects could not have made a more realistic movie of the buildings actually falling.
It's hard not to know somebody who was directly affected, and truly sad hearing the stories and knowing that so easily it could have been someone from your family.
People were just going into work, sitting at their desk, doing their job. Out of nowhere, 5,000 will never have a chance for a regular day's work again. 50,000 do not have a place to work.
Young people do not know what to make of it. Living in our towns, and in this country, has always brought us such a sense of security.
In one day that feeling of security was taken away from us. Schools are trying to comfort students and unite them. This is by far the best thing to come out of this tragedy.
It feels good driving round seeing flags on cars or hanging from houses, people dressed in our nation's colors, and constantly hearing of the donations, from blood to clothes, that have been collected.
It's hard to say and scary to think what else will come from this horrible tragedy, but for the first time in my life, I feel part of something bigger, and hope that our country stays united and true, and continues to pull through together.
About the team
This article was produced by the Children's Express Sheffield bureau, and was published in the Sheffield Star.
