Sunday, September 11, 2011 marked the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks that shook the United States and the world.
Ten years ago, the terrorist attacks on the United States, by members of al-Qaeda, took thousands of lives and irreparably damaged thousands more. Whether personally affected by the events of 9/11 or not, millions of United States citizens banded together to mourn the loss of nearly 3,000 citizens who were victims of the attacks. Ten years later, the United States has not forgotten the events of that day. This past September 11 was a day of reflection and commemoration for all that had happened.
“The anniversary made people think and feel about life and what is truly important,” physics teacher Helen Marks said.
“We had a church service and watched videos about September 11,” sophomore Hannah Dass said. “We prayed for the victims, firefighters, and all those involved in the attacks.”
Senior Richie Klares was one of the many whose families who used the anniversary to mourn the loss of a loved one.
“My grandpa on my dad’s side was in the South Tower when the planes hit,” Klares said. “He worked on the top ten floors, so he didn’t have time to make it out. I was really little when it happened, so I didn’t really understand the gravity of what had happened. My family is still mourning along with the rest of the victims’ families today.”
Dedication ceremonies for the three newly opened 9/11 memorials were held at the site of the World Trade Center in New York City, the pentagon in Washington, D.C., and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the fourth plane went down. Moments of silence were held at all three memorials at key moments from September 11, 2001. The ceremonies included speakers George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and children of victims. Victims’ family members were invited to attend these ceremonies in honor of their lost loved ones.
Klares attended the dedication ceremony at the World Trade Center site with his family.
“The ceremony was emotionally hard for everyone as we were all reminded of the ones we lost,” Klares said. “What being there did, though, was give me a realization of just how many families were affected. I knew that thousands of people died, but not being able to move in that crowd made me feel for all those other families as well.”
A moment of silence, along with a brief commemorative video and statement from Warner, at the beginning of the school day on September 9 gave students and teachers a chance to reflect on their own personal experiences from 9/11 and how it has affected them.
“I think it was a good reminder about the lives lost during the tragedy,” freshman Allison Zaleski said. “The events didn’t directly affect me, but they do make me sad. I personally appreciated the moment to reflect.”
“Like everyone else, I was confused and wondering why this was happening,” Principal Major Warner said of his initial reaction to the events of 9/11. “It really changed the way I look at the world now. I am the eternal optimist, but events such as 9/11 make you a realist in every sense of the word.”
Marks, who grew up and still has family in New York City, felt an especially strong connection to the victims and families of 9/11.
“My uncle worked in Manhattan as a sales representative, so he had difficulty getting home when they shut down the transit system,” Marks said of the hours following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. “We didn’t know if he was dead or alive for a while. Twenty other alumni from my high school perished in the towers.”
Though ten years have now passed, the story of 9/11 has not been forgotten, along with the heroes and the many innocent lives that were lost or changed from it. The country is still feeling the effects of September 11, 2001 in many different ways, but is finally starting to rebuild in its wake.
“I think it has deeply hurt our nation, but has also brought us a greater sense of unity,” freshman Allison Zaleski said. “It also brings greater awareness toward terrorism.”
“If we’ve learned anything, then versus now, it’s to live every day as if it’s your last,” Warner said.