Remembering 9-11 (9 Years Later)

In 2008 I asked people with connections to Watertown High School to share their memories of 9-11. Several responded and their memories were fascinating and powerful.

I am revisiting this effort and inviting people once again to share. My inspiration for this post is not just that today is the anniversary of 9-11 but because of a discussion I had in my sophomore world history class yesterday. They told me they were in the 1st grade when the attack happened. And many said they had strong memories - even though they were only 6 years old.

So, if you don't mind, will you share your memories here?

For the original comments made in 2008, go here. There are many excellent posts from many perspectives but I found Erik's comments about the Chinese response to be moving.

9-11 Plus 7 Plus 1

Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to reflect. If you can convince others to share their remembrances, please do.

Here's what I've sent to my teacher friends this morning:

The response hasn't been overwhelming but it has been interesting. For example, reading meganeb's response brought tears to my eyes. Her discription of taking the red bow off of her head (it was Hero Day and KiYi week at WHS) is a great example of simple, yet powerful writing.

When I created this project yesterday (the blog took all of 5 minutes to create) I had a thesis: School and teachers play an important and indelible role in helping young people cope with national tragedies.

What lead me to to this is my own experience in November, 1963: All I remember from that day Kennedy was shot (I was in the 3rd grade) was how my teachers reacted. And I remember it vividly even though it was 47 years ago.

Anyway, consider taking some of your precious time today to read and, even better, to respond.

7 Years Ago

This blog was inspired by the responses I have gotten to an email that I sent to teachers this morning about the events of September 11, 2001.

As my first blog entry, I will offer the text of my email. Feel free to contribute and react to what you read and what I and others have posted

For those of you who are reading this and may not know me, I am a long-time educator at Watertown High School and am now one of the people who is responsible for helping teachers make effective use of computer technology.

Here's the message I sent:

Many of my strongest memories of 9-11 are all connected with Watertown High School. I suspect that those of you who were here 7 years ago might say the same thing.

The strongest memory of all involves Rich Thomas - he is the one who stepped into my philosophy class that morning and said that "a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers." I turned on the TV and I, like most Americans, hoped that it was just an accident.

It wasn't, of course.

My second strongest memory was what I thought when I heard an analyst say that "our world is now changed." I had no idea what that meant and thought that maybe it was an overstatement. I realize now that it wasn't.

Finally, I remember that as comfortable as I was in discussing almost anything with my students, we never really talked about 9-11. I couldn't do it, partly because I didn't understand it and partly because it was (and still is) so wrenching.

Today we reflect and remember. It might also offer a "teaching moment." I know if I were in the classroom today, I would ask two simple questions. First, I would ask, "What do you remember?" And then I would ask, "How do you think the world has changed?" If you ask these questions, it might teach you something about how they see the world and it might also help them understand their place in it a little better. And its quite possible that some of your students are like me in that they haven't quite come to grips with the events of that day. Maybe you can help.

Let me know what you remember and I would also be interested in knowing how you think your life or your world has been impacted by these events.