Reflections of a College Kid

By Derrick Jones

I don't think any of us will forget where we were the morning of September 11.

Like all Americans - - including those in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the passengers on the four doomed airplanes - - my day started like any other.

I was in the NRLC offices early, monitoring the Today show, and getting ready for a full day of meetings and classes. I watched in horror as the WTC went up in flames after a plane crashed into the north tower and, then, another plane crashed into the south tower.

When the planes hit the towers, my thoughts turned to the well being of friends who live and go to school in lower Manhattan. (As we have since learned, more than 6,000 innocent men, women, and children were murdered.)

Moments later reports saying that the Pentagon - - thought by most of us in D.C. to be the safest building in the city, if not the world - - had been attacked. It was a surreal feeling as more reports (later proved false) began to pour in of other government buildings under attack.

Calls started pouring in to our offices from so many caring pro-lifers. They were concerned for the safety of our staff and all of us in Washington. There were so many calls that it took me over an hour to put down the phone long enough to call my mom and grandma - - who were beside themselves at that point - - to let them know that I was okay.

Since September 11, I've watched Fox News Channel at every possible moment. I've seen, first-hand, the damage at the Pentagon and observed with horror the void in the Manhattan skyline. I've heard and read so many stories of victims, survivors, and the heroism of rescue workers.

And in a small way I've tried to be a shoulder for friends who lost friends, relatives, and co-workers in the attacks to cry on.

In the light of the heinous acts committed against our country and its people, we have a wonderfully unique opportunity to help facilitate our national healing and to promote a genuine respect for life in our society.

All we need do is be a positive voice in our community that promotes life as the ultimate human right - - a right that should be respected and protected at all levels. In addition to what is already accomplished at the chapter level, we can devise new, creative ways that advance respect for all life.

Since October is traditionally Respect Life Month, remember the victims and their families in prayer vigils and rallies that you may be holding.

Like all Americans, the pro-life movement has been called to special action. As we have for nearly three decades, we will respond with compassion and strength.

The possibilities for help are endless and the assistance we can provide our communities and our nation is immeasurable.

Along with unborn children and their mothers, please continue to keep the victims and their families in your prayers as our nation recovers from the events of last month.

Derrick Jones is NRLC administrative assistant, advertising coordinator, and youth outreach coordinator. He is also a senior at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. For more information on how high school and college students can become more involved in the pro-life movement, or to contact Derrick, call (202) 626-8800, ext 153, or e-mail: jonesy77@aol.com.