Reflection and Realization9/11/2013 Today marks another day of reflection on the events of September 11, 2001. We remember where we were, how we reacted, and the weeks, months, and years of trying to figure out why. While I'm sure many of us took a moment today to reflect and remember, amazingly, for a large group of people today was just another Wednesday. Those people are our students.
Today I had to sub for a class and as I was taking attendance once student said, "Hey, isn't today September 11?" As I looked around for a reaction or further discussion I realized that these kids weren't in school nor where they probably even aware of how deeply the events of that sunny, Tuesday morning 12 years ago impacted our lives (and theirs) everyday day since. September 11th for them is just another moment in history; just as Pearl Harbor, the moon landing, Watergate, Iran-Contra, and many other events are for me. The first historical moment I remember was the Challenger explosion. I was a kindergartener and the only reason I remember it was because my mom told me to "sit down and watch this" while I waited to go to 1/2 day kindergarten. The class I sub for today wasn't interested in talking about 9/11, instead they were focused on what the right answer to #3 was on their homework. As I returned to my office, I had a variety of emotions as I thought back on the students lack of interest in discussing 9/11. However, as I thought about it more, it occurred to me that this is exactly the reaction these students should have. They weren't around to experience all of the emotions play out on live TV. They weren't around to experience the sadness that ensured for months as a nation morned. Nor did they have to experience what seemed like the never ending fear of "what's next". After 12 years we are still here. We are one nation, under God, united (well, except for congress) and dedicated to upholding the values which were established by our forefathers almost 250 years ago. We have been resilient and have not let terrorist dictate the lives of our children 12 years later. We (adults) will never forget that traumatic day, but at least we can take comfort know that for our children and our children's children, September 11th will be just another day in history.
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May 2023
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