nmah6533.xml

nmah6533.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-06-05

September 11, 2001 began the same way as any other day. I had just finished teaching my ninth grade English students and was preparing for second period. As the bell rang and my students left, two boys, Drew and Devin, rushed to my desk and asked me, "Mrs. Williams, have you heard what happened?" Knowing how my students like to distract me with high school dramas, I simply looked at them and said, "No." Their animation puzzled me and soon I realized that this was no ordinary "high school drama." "The World Trade Center in New York was just hit by a plane!" cried Devin. I was stunned. I immediately went to my computer to turn on the news portion and called my husband, a firefighter, who was home with our four month old daughter. He told me he had been watching the news and it was true -- two planes had flown into the World Trade Center towers. My head was spinning from the information and I knew that the short story was no longer important in my classroom. I immediately had my students quiet down and sit in their seats. I explained to them that whatever was going on was important and we were going to watch the television coverage. My students and I watched the screen silently. I think that we were all incredulous that something this terrible had happened. Then we watched the towers fall. Disbelief and sadness were apparent on everyone's faces. The rest of the day was a blur. I went home and sat with my husband and my daughter watching the images over and over again. I didn't sleep much that night. I just couldn't believe what had happened. It was a day that truly affected me and one that I will never forget.

Before September 11, 2001, I was very patriotic. As a teacher, I felt it was my duty to instill a sense of patriotism and respect for our country and those who serve her. After September 11th, my patriotism surged and I became an even bigger proponent for making my students aware of their responsibilities as citizens. Every year I take time to talk to my students about September 11th and its aftermath. I also make a special point to help them celebrate Veterans Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Flag Day. My life is now more focused on preserving our rights and freedoms as Americans and setting an example to all the young people I teach. I hope to instill that sense of patriotism and duty to my students, thereby making them better citizens.

I think there should be a TIME (not a moment) of silence for all those who lost their lives on that horrible day. Prayers should be said and television programs should replay the images to remind the entire population of how vulnerable we really are. I also think that prior to showing the images, something needs to be said to the families as it must be difficult for them to watch the images again. September 11th should be a reverent day -- not a day off for workers or for sales. There should be a specific time during the way when everyone across the nation (including all television stations, even cable) pauses to reflect on the events and the loss that took place on September 11th.

Yes, I flew an American flag after September 11th. I have always had one outside my house, but now I have two on my car. I also allot one day per week to dress in some patriotic gear to remind my students to be thankful for their rights and freedoms. My feelings about the flag have not changed -- they have only been strengthened. I think that every American should show their love for their country by flying a flag.