Americans have asked themselves repeatedly over the past 10 years and 11 days since Sept. 11, 2001 if it could happen again. With the increased security measures implemented immediately following the coordinated terrorist attack on that unsuspecting September day, surely it would be much more difficult – if not impossible – to arrange and execute an attack of a similar nature.

We dread the response being yes. We know in our heart of hearts it is possible. We hope we are wrong.

Hopes were dashed on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, when the threat of another attack emerged. Although security has vastly improved in the past 10 years to include extra checkpoints, trained baggage screeners in the airport, reinforced doors to the cockpit of the plane and pilots trained with firearms, the efficiency of these additional precautions is still uncertain.

As the anniversary quickly approached, emotions, fears and awareness ran high. That familiar question ran through every American’s mind, along with images of the Twin Towers burning and crashing to the streets, images that will be forever imprinted in our memories.

Yet, this was not the first time Americans questioned the possibility of future attacks. On the fifth anniversary of 9/11, in 2006, New York Police Department Deputy Chief Harry Weiden was asked on “Good Morning, America” if he thought a similar attack could happen again.

“Anything could happen again,” Weiden said in the interview. “But I think we are much more prepared, and much more focused, right now.”

It was true after five years and nothing has changed after 10.

It is with the mental toughness we were forced to acquire that the American people anticipate an attack, whatever it may be. My own anticipation of an attack does not involve planes crashing into the most iconic and pivotal political buildings in our nation. It is my thinking that, if another were to occur, the methods would differ.

Al Qaeda would not want to be predictable. The element of surprise is the most powerful aspect of their attack, apart from the deaths they viciously intend to cause.

My own reply to that all-too-familiar question is similar to Weiden’s in 2006. Of course it could happen again. We were attacked in 1941 and in 2001. However, the manner in which an attack would be executed is left to the imagination. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending how you look at it), I have a very vivid imagination. So when this question is posed to me, I am able to see the terror and destruction that could be inflicted on my fellow Americans. It is a grim line of thought but for the purpose of this article I will walk it.

It seems to me that the next time we are attacked – if and when it happens – our attackers will not limit themselves to one city or one or two buildings. They will attempt to go country-wide. Whether that is with bombs, viruses, or worse, I don’t know but it will affect a lot more than our patriotic pride.

Americans are still on alert, especially after reading and hearing reports of Osama bin Laden’s ponderings of another attack, found in his compound after his death. It was to be set for the 10th anniversary of 9/11, a plan that had been written out as early as May of this year and had, no doubt, been in the back of his mind for longer.

What bin Laden had not expected was for American troops to find him and, ultimately, kill him – no doubt, a huge victory in the eyes of every American. He definitely did not anticipate the discovery of his plans for another attack. Another American victory – the element of surprise was taken out of the equation.

In addition to these reports, another was released on account of two male American citizens whom a CIA informant heard had been sent to attack New York or Washington by way of car bombs.

Police patrolled the streets and set up checkpoints in attempts to catch any car-bombers. In spite of the threat, New Yorkers filled the streets like any other day. They were not cowering in their homes, afraid of what terror could be inflicted upon them. Al Qaeda will not be able to catch America off guard as they did 10 years ago.

We can never know what will happen in the future, but the threat of the unknown, of the terror that can be inflicted in a matter of minutes, has not lessened our resolve. We stand strong, in confidence that, whatever comes our way, we will roll with the punches and come out on top.

Kaylin Ielase is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences.