nmah1542.xml

nmah1542.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-08

September 11, 2001 started like any normal day. I was teaching science to a 6th grade class in Piqua, Ohio, when one of my co-workers quietly slipped into my classroom. She whispered into my ear that the World Trade Center had been struck by two planes, and it was thought to be the work of terrorists. I was stunned. I didn't know what to think. I wrapped up the class I was teaching and sent them on their way, as it was time to switch classes. I flipped on the TV, and there it was on the news. My next class came in, and they knew what was going on. We just watched TV all morning. We were glued. The kids were so silent. I knew that they really didn't understand the magnitude of what they were seeing. They were asking me questions about terrorists -- they didn't understand why anyone would do this. One student wanted to know how the terrorists got out of the plane before it hit the building. When I explained suicide bombing, the kids were shocked. When the buildings collapsed, I wanted to cry, but I didn't want to do it in front of my students. I felt that I needed to be a strong leader for them. I didn't want them to be too scared. I cried later that night and many other times after that. The visuals that struck me the most were the pictures of people jumping from the World Trade Center. I wondered to myself, how bad was the situation inside that the best choice was to plummet to your death? I also wondered, what did the people trapped on the upper floors of the buildings say to their loved ones when they made phone calls? What do you say to your family when you know you're about to die? Thinking about the people of this tragedy makes my heart ache.

Since September 11, I value my family more. I take time to enjoy every single day. I know that it could have easily been any one of us trapped in those towers or in the Pentagon or on a plane. I don't take things for granted.

I think we should remember the people who were heroes. The ones who risked their lives, and in some cases, gave their lives for others.

Yes, we have flown an American flag ever since September 11. I had to go out and buy one, and I was ashamed of the fact that we did not own a flag. My feelings have changed about the flag. I always felt proud of our flag, but I think we need to show that we are proud of our country and all it stands for by by flying the flag on a regular basis. We say the pledge at school every day, and I get choked up sometimes when I think about the what we're saying and what the flag stands for.