Reprise: Our World Changed Forever

It was ten years ago today that coordinated terrorist attacks on the United States profoundly changed our lives.

Even though a decade has passed, writing about this event brings a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. Four years ago, I blogged about a discussion I had with my students about September 11, 2001; another posting, from 2009, includes more of my memories of the day. I will let that stand as my record of a pivotal moment in history.

A few weeks after 9/01/01, our high school students gave a concert as a tribute to those who responded and those who died. While I'm not normally a country music fan, one of the songs they performed then still affects me whenever I hear it.

I AM proud to be an American. However you choose to remember this day, let that be your slogan and your comfort.

God bless the U. S. A.

September 11

I was a junior in high school when John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Whispered rumors about shots being fired at a presidential motorcade gave way to stunned disbelief as events unfolded. Our nation mourned its fallen leader; the world became a darker place.

I was teaching a 7th grade class in our old MS/HS library, when a social studies teacher asked if he could use one of the computers. He had heard something about a plane crash in New York City and wanted further information. Within minutes, we learned the terrible reality: our country was experiencing terrorist attacks of a previously unimagined magnitude.

Staff members in the elementary (K-6) wing were aware of what was happening, but younger students were shielded from the breaking news. The high school principal set up a TV in the hall outside his office, and another in the auditorium. Students and teachers could watch as much or as little as they chose. Many of us sat in shocked silence for the rest of the day, trying to comprehend exactly what was occurring and its implications for our families and our country.

Last year on September 11, I asked my Current Events class to reflect on the events of The Day Our World Changed Forever. After some discussion, a consensus was reached that "9/11 will make our world different for a long time."

Today, I spent a few moments at a local firehouse. Later in the morning, there would be a remembrance ceremony, honoring both rescuers and victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Occupying a place of honor were three rusted lengths of steel, portions of beams salvaged from the World Trade Center towers, destined to be incorporated in a memorial adjacent to the station.

These pieces of metal exert a powerful emotional influence, as reminders of what we have lost.

We can move forward, but we can't erase what has already happened.

Our world has changed forever.

Ridge Street Firehouse, Glens Falls, NY

"Our World Changed Forever"

When my students walked into Current Events class today, I asked them to respond to a headline from yesterday's Times Union. The oldest young man in the group was in sixth grade in 2001; the youngest, only a third grader.

I vividly remember the events of September 11. As a high school teacher, I spent the day with our older students, watching in horror as the tragedy unfolded.

At first, my kids had trouble with the assignment, insisting that even a short paragraph was impossible. But I reminded them how our world has changed as a direct result of that Day. One boy intends to enlist in the Navy - serving in a time of war, not peace. Some of the students have taken family vacations in Canada or flown on commercial flights: I explained what travel was like before the Patriot Act.

Rather than using a quotation from a "famous person", I'm concluding with comments from today's class.

Our world has changed. More people have died since then, not only from the dust and debris, but because of the war it [September 11] sparked.


Yeah, I think it changed our world...A good thing is that our country is more alert to things like that now.


It made a huge change to the world. Members of many people's families were killed. We all know that when family members get killed, it affects a lot of people. Those towers were...a symbol for our country...I would love to join the navy and get back at [the terrorists]...


...it seems that no one can trust anyone any more due to the 9/11 attack...the wars overseas seem to be out of control. It's like it will never end.


This was a very sad day in America's history...Our country realized that it was not 'bullet-proof'. Many restrictions were put on daily life in the U.S.A. The terrorist attack on the country has changed us.


It was a really shocking thing that happened. The world has changed because security has stepped up a lot...We have also been in war for a long time and the country has to pay for it, so we have to waste money on equipment for that stuff [war materials].


I believe that 9/11 did change our world. I think it was a horrible event. The way we reacted was stupid...Now, 6 years later, we are still there and taking and losing life. It is time to change and to stand up against political evil and save our world.


9/11 will make our world different for a long time.