nmah378.xml

nmah378.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-22

I was teaching a class of high school students. We were out of our regular classroom and using a computer lab. Another teacher in a class nearby came in and said "check out USA Today.com... something has happened." I went to the website and saw photos of the World Trade Center on fire. I immediately stopped class and said students "There has been some kind of accident in New York, I think it may be significant. We should all stop what we are doing and go back to the classroom to turn on the TV." Most students beat me back to the room and had the TV on. We sat in stunned, scared silence as the reports came in with their horrific pictures. The remainder of the day as students came in and out classes we watched the news, talked about our feelings, shared worries, and discussed those we knew in New York or Washington D.C. Many students (especially seniors-age 17-18) instantly started worrying about war and if they could be drafted.

My life has changed since September 11, 2001. I try not to take friends and family for granted. I also see the United States in a different light. I used to be very ethnocentric and believe that the majority of the world thinks the U.S. is great... not so.

Live every moment to its fullest and learn about the world around you. We will also remember most the heroism of the common person. The vast number of men ane women, who in complete innocence, risked their lives because of a desire to help another.

I did fly an American flag after 9/11. The flag has brought people together and renewed patriotism.