Nearly two decades later, 9/11 still elicits vivid memories for teachers
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Occupying a huge wall in the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, this mural created by Spencer Finch is titled “Trying to Remember the Color of the Sky on That September Morning”. Comprised of 2,983 watercolor squares, it features a quote from Roman poet Virgil that reads “No day shall erase you from the memory of time”.
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This set of stairs called “The Survivors’ Staircase” was the last visible remaining original structure above ground level at the World Trade Center site. On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, these stairs served as an escape route for hundreds of people feeling the World Trade Center complex.
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The terrorist attacks of 9/11 had a significant impact on the world, and the tragedy and heroes continue to be remembered. However, the events had a different impact on Muslim and South Asian Americans.
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The 9/11 Memorial & Museum features numerous pieces of the original Twin Towers. This steel beam was part of the north facade of the North Tower and was located at the point of impact where hijacked Flight 11 crashed into building at the 93rd through 99th floors.
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Parked on West Street near Vesey Street on September 11, 2001, the FDNY Ladder 3 truck was damaged as a result of the collapse of the Twin Towers. The truck is now on display at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City.
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The aerial ladder was partially crushed on the FDNY Ladder Truck 3 on September 11, 2001 when debris from the Twin Towers fell on the vehicle. The truck is on display at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum as it was found on Sept. 11, 2001.
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Flags and flowers are often sprinkled throughout the names on both the North and South Pools in memory of those who lost their life on Sept. 11, 2001. The names of all the victims of both 2001 and 1993 are inscribed here and are grouped by the locations and circumstances in which victims found themselves during the attacks.
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Patriot Day honors the lives of those who were killed as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. This day effects and has influenced many people on campus.
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The impact of the events of Sept. 11, 2001 are still felt across the country and on campus. Some Redhawk staff served in the United States military and armed forces, and shared their thoughts on what the day means to them.
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Located near the 9/11 Memorial Pools is this Callery pear tree. Called the “Survivor Tree” it was discovered by recovery workers at Ground Zero in October 2001. Severely damaged, the tree was removed by the New York City Parks and Recreation Department and nursed back to health at a different location. It was returned ot the site in 2010 and now stands in the plaza as a symbol of “resilience and perseverance”.
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Adjacent to where the Twin Towers once stood, One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the United States and features a viewing platform more than 1,2000 feet up. Located in Lower Manhattan, the view north provides a glimpse that covers most of Manhattan. Construction of the building began in 2006 with the building opening in 2014. The One World Observatory, from where this picture was taken, opened on May 29, 2015.
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Locating to the southwest from the top of the One World Trade Center, visitors can see the Statue of Liberty, approximately two miles away in the Upper New York Bay.
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On the morning of September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people were killed when hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field.
Now, 19 years later, 9/11, also known as Patriot Day, is observed in the United States to honor not only the memory of the victims who were killed and injured by the terrorist attacks, but also first-hand responders who sacrificed their lives.
For assistant football coach, Kenneth Schiumo Jr., the day is especially memorable as he was attending elementary school just a few miles away from the Twin Towers on Staten Island.
“I was in my fifth grade homeroom and it was early in the morning and we were kinda getting school started,” he said. “We all got a report that we had to evacuate the building so we thought it was just a fire drill or something like that. Our pastor at the time came out and said we were informed that there was a small plane that hit one of the World Trade Centers and they’re investigating it. My dad worked at Madison Square Garden at the time and I was worried about him because of the attraction at Madison Square Garden is. I was picked up from school and I remember just kind of sitting in my living room and watching the live news footage which was a replay of the time of what was going on and we were trying to get in contact with my dad.”
For staff members such as social studies teachers Jennifer Nelken and Sarah Wiseman, the memories of where they were and what they did, are still vivid.
“I was getting ready for college classes. I saw the news when the second plane hit. It was then I felt like something was wrong,” Nelken said. “I remember also calling my uncle who lives in New York to make sure he was okay as the attacks were happening. He first hand witnessed everyone walking across Brooklyn Bridge as the subways and all transportation were pretty much halted. “
“I was a junior at Plano Senior High, and I was at morning marching band practice,” social Wiseman said. “Because we didn’t all have cell phones yet, I didn’t know anything was wrong when I went to my first period class. We watched as the towers burned and then the second tower fell live on TV.”
Learning about 9/11 both in, and out of school, junior Simon Pham thinks 9/11 has affected America greatly.
“9/11 has really impacted America in many different ways, many Americans still think of 9/11 as an excuse to be Islamophobic, but there are also many Americans who grieve and also forgive and appreciate our safety today,” Pham said. “I believe that 9/11 was indeed a tragedy and that there were people at fault and there were victims who have every right to grieve.”
Teachers such as Nelken think students should be informed about 9/11 and how it impacted America.
“I think students should learn and know about 9/11, just as they do any historical event. Many students were born around the 9/11 era and the world has been different ever since,” she said. “It shaped many foreign and domestic policies. It was a defining moment in history, even though it was very tragic.”
Schiumo hopes that students understand both the severity, and America’s overcoming of the 9/11 attacks.
“I just want the kids to understand that you know when we talk about September 11th, 2001 this is something that we have had affect us close to home,” Schiumo said. “Luckily one of the only things that has really ever happened of that significance in the United States and it’s just so important to understand that you know though bad happened, we were able to band together as a country and a community and focus on the people that needed help at that time.”
Erika Pernis is a senior entering her third year of Wingspan. During her spare time, you can find her reading, drinking boba, or hanging out with friends....
