nmah6854.xml

nmah6854.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-10-13

I teach high school government and sociology. I'm from Monmouth County, NJ but I now live and teach in Georgia. On Sept. 11, 2001, our second period class had just begun. Another teacher called me out and told me that a plane had just flown into the WTC. I thought he was just messing with me. I put the tv on and a few minutes later I, along with my 26 senior students, witnessed the second plane crash into the second tower. Shortly after, a report came in from Washington, DC regarding smoke coming from the Pentagon and we soon knew that a third plane had been used to hit a structure. It was at that moment I had to sit, thinking of my own family and friends when one of my senior students asked, "Ms. Pagano, are we at war?" Of all of the things a high school teacher sees and hears each day, that had to be the toughest moment of my career. How do you answer that question to a classroom full of young adults, scared and in disbelief when you can't even comprehend it yourself? I'll never forget that
moment, I'll never forget that question. God bless all the families that lost loved ones on that day. God bless my students as we will always be connected by that fateful day.

Every day is a gift. September 11 reminds me that every day, every moment is a gift.

In spite of the evil intent by Al Queda and any other terrorist group, people pulled together to help each other. In fact, the world came to help in so many ways and that is what we should remember.

Yes, I flew the American flag for a long time after Sept. 11th. I grieved for the families and I was proud of my country.

Yes, my feelings about the flag have changed. I stopped flying it shortly before George W. Bush invaded Iraq. The flag represents my country and I did not (nor do I) support the invasion of a country that was NOT responsible for the tragedy of September 11th.