An emotional roller coaster ride

Sept. 11 was an unbelievable day for most Americans. It was a day that forced us to realize how precious freedom is and also how fragile freedom is.

I was astonished when I saw the second plane fly into the Twin Towers while watching Good Morning America. I was alarmed when I saw the towers collapse.

I was very angry by the time the third plane flew into the Pentagon and the fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania.

I was thankful for our Founding Fathers (and Mothers) for putting us on the right path with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We have done much to ensure our freedom and we have much more to do to remain free.

I was also:

• staggered by the numbers: How many firefighters And police were lost, So few bodies have been recovered, Over 60 countries were represented as victims,

• surprised at how many times I had to go take a look at the world map since 09-11 and how many times I shed tears while watching the news and special reports.

• grateful for the many volunteers who gave countless hours helping the injured and assisting in the recovery process.

• curious about the Islamic faith; it is a peace-believing religion.

• bewildered to learn that there are so many people worldwide that hate America for what it stands for and at the same time uplifted because so many people want to come to America to be able to live in freedom.

I am proud to be an American with all its strengths and weaknesses, all its various opinions and the right to voice them, and with all its religious diversities.

We must remember that freedom is precious; freedom is fragile. It is up to each of us to protect it.

Shirley Odegaard

Schaumburg