Transcript Slide 1

We Dedicate this Book to Those
Who Have Lost Their Lives In 911
Don’t Forget
My dad clearly remembers 9/11. He was at work on white man air force base
Missouri. He was in the middle of a nuclear inspection. That day he was doing his normal
routine which was dropping me off and going to work. While my mom and my sister
stayed home.
He had learned about the attacks by my mom calling him. She told him that an
aircraft hit one of the towers. She told him to turn on the TV to watch. What he saw was
horrifying. He was very angry at the culprits how did this. How they killed so many harm
less bystanders. It made him appreciate more about are nation.
He said that we live in a great country. I think that is a great thing. He also said
to never let our guard down during national security. These are some great words of
wisdom.
9/11 started out as a perfect fall day. My mother said the sky was bright blue, the air was a little cooler and
there was absolutely no humidity. My mother’s only worry was whether my sister would be okay on her first day of nursery
school at St. Mary of the Lakes preschool. I was 2 years old and my sister was 3. We had just moved to our new home in
Medford about three months before that day. According to my Mother, “all was right in the world.”
As we played, and my Mother cleaned up breakfast, she was watching the Today Show on NBC. She noticed
that they suddenly cut into their story to announce a report of a plane hitting one of the World Trade Center Towers. When
they finally showed a video of the damaged tower, my mother said she was “horrified” by the large hole in the building and
all of the fire and smoke. There was a lot of confusion about what happened. People were calling into the show to report
what they have seen and not all of those reports turned out to be true. While watching this amazing video of the burning
building, my mother saw the second plane hit the second tower. She immediately knew that we were being attacked. She
was very scared about our safety, our country’s safety, and my Uncle Steve’s safety. Uncle Steve worked in NYC at that
time.
The horrible events that day made my mother afraid and nervous, but also angry and determined that justice
would be done. She was very proud of country’s response and the great feeling of patriotism that everyone seemed to
share. She said, “We truly came together in the face of tragedy and hatred. Love, selflessness and bravery will always win
out over cowardice and evil.” She felt so [proud and loyal to the United States of America. 9/11 did not dramatically change
how my mother lives her life. Of course, it is a little more difficult to travel. The only real effect is that she realizes just how
vulnerable we are and hat there is evil in this world. She also is more likely to look at the4 safety of a location or situation.
To this day my mother still gets emotional when she thinks of that terrible day and all the people that lost their
lives. The lesson that my mother would like me to learn is that we “need to be brave in the face of difficult situation and to
never give in to intolerance or hatred. As Americans, we must continue to fight for freedom here and abroad. We cannot let
extremists win.”
Abby
My mom’s face goes white when I ask her where she was during 9/11. she sits down in the
office and opens her mouth. Then closes it, and then opens it again.
“I was sitting in the kitchen with the TV on, making breakfast for you and your sister, Olivia.”
“How did you learn about the attacks and what do you remember about that day?” I asked her,
fiddling with my pencil.
“The Today show was on. The network played an interrupt broadcast of the second plane
hitting the second tower.” My mom’s eyes were getting red and she had the saddest possible look on her
face, certainly the most upset I’ve seen her.
“How did you feel at the end of that day?”
“Sad.” Mom takes a piece of clothing and wipes her eyes with it. “scared, heartbroken, worried.
I was emotionally drained.
“how did you feel about America after the attacks?”
“I felt a tremendous amount of patriotism and worry for our vulnerability.”
“Has that day changed the way we live?”
“no.”
“Do you have any additional comments?”
“I still don’t believe going to war and sacrificing young Americans was our best response.”
“Is there anything I can learn from this tragic event?”
“We all deserve to live equally and freely.” I thank Mom for her time and walk into my room,
silent with astonishment at how much this meant to her.
On September 11, 2001 my mom said she had just came in the house after putting my
brother on the bus for school when my dad called her into the family room. My dad told her there
was breaking news that one twin tower just got hit by a big plane. My mom said her and my dad
watched TV all day trying to find out what was going on with all the attacks. During the afternoon my
mom had to go to the store and the whole store was quiet. Everyone in the store just had a look of
disbelief and fear.
My mom learned about the attacks from my dad and mostly the media. My mom felt sick
to her stomach because she learned later that her coworkers husband who worked for the port
authority was last seen running into one of the towers before it collapsed. My mom also said she had
so many emotions that she could not sleep at all that night.
My mom thinks America has to continue to take necessary security steps in order to
protect our nation. She worries that America remains at risk from terrorist. She never takes life for
granted and that day has changed her life forever. She prays that no one ever forgets the heroes of
911. She also hopes that our nation provides healthcare for the responders of 911 who are now
dealing with multiple health issues including cancer. My mom will never forget the day of 911.
My mom talks about 9/11 like it happened yesterday. She had just dropped off my sister and
I at preschool and my older brother was at grade school. She was at a red light by the gym she was
going to workout at when she heard about the attack.
Mommy remembers when she first heard about the first plane crashing, she thought it was
just an accident. She never thought it would be anything more until she went on the elliptical trainer. She
saw the second plane crash and she knew that this was much more than an accident. There was a
reporter reporting on the news that was there, and he said it sounded like a huge bomb went off. My
mom could not believe it! She left the gym and was scared to death of what was to come next.
My mom learned about the attacks by the radio and on the news, and never thought of them
as an attack. The first thing she did was go pick my siblings and I up and take us home. Then she called
my dad a thousand times until he answered. He was on a plane on the way home from Georgia, but he
was fine. My mom said she had never been so scared in her entire life.
When the end of the day came, my mom was scared, nervous, sad, and anxious. She felt
like she never wanted to leave her kids anywhere ever again! She was proud to be an American though;
knowing how many people were heroic that day. She felt very scared that things would never be the
same again in our country, but things got better. At first, a lot of people were depressed and upset but it
got better.
My mom said it changed the way she lived at first but she doesn’t really think about it as
much anymore because she has anxiety about it. My mom told me that what I should learn from this is to
never take freedom for granted and live each day like its your last- enjoy life!
Coming from what my mom and even other people have told me about this tragic event, now
I know why we will never forget September 11, 2001.
My stepdad says that all actions big or small have consequences. When he said
this he was referring to 9/11…
When the attacks happened he was in pharmacology class in medical school his
final semester of school had just begun. During class, he had heard from other students that
the WTC had been attacked. Later on he was assured of this when he saw it on television.
He did not feel to safe after what he had heard in the lounge of his medical school. At the
end of the day he did not feel sure that the attacks were over so for the next couple of days
he was very weary.
He remembers that Newark, NJ was empty that day when he left medical school.
To this day he dreads going on planes and loved ones riding planes. Even going to the big
apple, afraid that another tragic event might take place while he is there. Unfortunately
since family lives near New York (Jersey City,) he thinks about 9/11 on a regular basis, and
dearly hopes something so tragic will never happen again.
My dad was working the day of 9/11. He said he remembered hearing on the radio at his
work. He listened to all of the reports of the planes first one then the other. He remembered hearing the
reports of how much buildings going down with the two towers that year. He said that the whole place
was crazy, and for all he new America is now vulnerable. He said that after that he felt uneasy and afraid
for that day, and didn’t know what would happen to America after that. He said he thought of all of the
people who were innocent just because of some terrorist.
Our lives haven’t changed much but now we stopped traveling out of the country for the
reasons of the plane crashes, and though we don’t travel now we try to take some vacations but that was
put down to every once a year and only by car for the many crashes that have happened but that was
9/11 was one of the biggest plane crashes ever. He said that everybody should remember that hundreds
of innocent people died. Now, ten years later everybody has gone into panic again because now there
are bigger terrorist, so now all over New York and every where else security have been getting more
bulky to protect the country. Most of the people who survived are lucky.
This was coming from my dad who worked when this terrifying event happened and hopes
that none of the people forget the horrible things others could do. Now people know how bad terrorist can
be.
My mom was home alone, my dad was at work and I was school,
that day on September 11,2001. It was the day the two twin towers fell down
in New York City.
My mom was home watching TV when this tragic event happened.
When she was sitting there alone watching the news, she was in shock but
at the same time terrified just watching the twin towers fall one by one.
When she was watching the news she saw a bunch a people just standing
around and watching what happened, it was sad and disappointing just
hearing about what happen on that day. My mom didn’t learn about this she
watched it. The end of day my mom was sad and in shock, and not just my
mom felt this way, the whole world felt this way.
My mom thought America was weak and needed some work. She
thought that we needed to have stronger forces and stronger people. When
the twin towers fell, it didn’t just change the way my mom lived it changed
how the whole world lived. My mom is more careful with her surrounding
since this happened and its never going to change. Even though we all
survived on that day, I learned that we should be thankful for what we have
and most important thankful that we survive, on September 11, 2001.
Robert Driver woke up on the 11th of September as if it was a normal day.
He grabbed a power bar and headed to work.
He was driving North on Interstate 95 in Northern Virginia. He heard the “
Ring ring, ring ring,” from his phone and cautiously picked it up just in case any cops
were around. When he picked up the phone it said “Call from Keith” Keith was
Robert’s brother in law. As soon as he answered the phone Keith said very quickly “A
plane crashed into the North tower of the World Trade Center 15 minutes ago. Oh
my gosh.” he said “Another plane just crashed into the other tower.” Confusion struck
Robert Why would two planes both crash into the World Trade Center and so
close in time?
Later that day…..
Robert found out it was a terrorist attack. He felt horrible for all the people
that died. He was also shocked. Even though he was not changed by 9/11, he knew
America was.
He says After 9/11 there was now 45-60 minutes security checks to
ensure that you had or was no danger to the flight you were boarding, taking away
some of the freedom to travel. Also most people like Robert would not want to go to a
middle eastern country because they don’t particularly like us.
There are people that for 1 reason or another don’t like the we live and
decide to hurt us. They don’t care that they’re taking people ‘s lives .It doesn’t mean
they’re right and it doesn’t mean we’re wrong. Not everyone believes in the way we
live and we have to accept that and take precautions.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller lived in New York. Mr. Miller was driving to work and
listening to the radio when he heard that a plane flew into the world trade center.
He couldn’t believe his ears! At that point everybody thought it was an accident.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Miller was getting ready to go to a music class with her
friend whose dad worked in the world trade center. She heard about it on the news
and she was shocked! She was worried for her friend’s father. She could even see
the smoke from her house!!!
They both remember that day was very confusing and scary…It felt like it
had no end. After the attacks, they say, it seemed as if it brought people in our
country closer. That day didn’t change their lives much but it is always in the back
of their heads that there could be another attack one day. They feel that its very
important to be learning about this in school because it was a very significant day
in U.S. history. Also they think that there should be a national holiday to honor it.
They think that I can learn to be tolerant of other people from this tragic event.
By-Lauren
Michael
I interviewed my mother about 9/11 and extracted these details. My
mom was working in an insurance office of america at the time of the "attack”.
She said she remembered people being frantic, watching the news, and calling
loved ones in New York. My mom said she learned about the “attack” from a
coworker.
By the end of the day she felt shocked and not certain what to believe.
After the attack my mother thought we should stop meddling in other countries
business.
That day has changed my mothers life because now she has
researched more stories more thoroughly now. Her additional comments were
what happened to building 7? She thought I could learn to research more
stories more thoroughly from this event.
My Father says that September 11th was one of the worst days in American history. He was
working that day, he got a frantic phone call from my Mother when the first tower fell. My
Mother said that she thought that America was under attack. My Father scrambled off the
top of the ladder that he was on and went to his truck for the radio he always stored in it. He
heard that the North tower in New York City was on fire and burning really bad. My Mother
screamed into the phone to come home.
My Father was very sad at the end of September 11th he wished he could have
done something to help but there was nothing to do, my Father has taught me to always
honor our troops for risking there lives for us and our freedom. He said he’s proud to be an
American even more then he was after the attack. That day has changed my Father a lot he
said that he appreciates the freedom that we have in this country and the soldiers that fight
for it. I can learn a lot from that tragic event. My Father’s words where “that even when the
most tragic things happen that the most important thing is that we should always love, care
and support each other no matter what.
September 11th 2001 was a very sad day but you never want to forget what
happened that because it was an important day in American history we can learn so much
from it and now a lot of people appreciate Americas freedom even more now. I will always
remember the police officers and fire fighters that went back into the building and help
people get out and even the citizens that helped. So never forget September 11th 2001.
By: Mikaela
My Mom says that she felt like the world has just changed in front of her
eyes. She was at a sales meeting and she was there before everybody else. When her
associate friend pulled up she came running inside the building like she was late but
she was right on time. My mom’s friend said that a plane had just crashed into the north
tower of the world trade center. My mom thought that it was one of those single manned
planes that fly around new York all the time.
Then someone popped in her mind. Her friend worked right next to the
world trade center and lived right next to the bridge. My mom called and called again,
but her friend never answered. My mom never got in touch with her friend in days. As
the sales meeting was over my mom showed some houses and the TVs were turned on
to see that it was 2 full propelled huge jets that plowed into the world trade center
towers.
When my mom finally got In contact with her friend she heard that her
friend was ok and that she ran across the Washington bridge barefoot! When she got
home she was covered head to toe in soot (grayish material that comes from big fires or
crashes).
As my mom went to bed that night she felt fear and disbelief that someone
could do that to our country. My mom woke up the next morning she felt like the world
would never be the same. As she went back to work she saw a lot of nationalism and
saw we got together as a country worked together to fix the problem
My mom told me a lot about 9/11 and now I know why we must never forget
that tragic day of 9/11.
My Uncle Bill remembers September 9th 200l like it happened today. That day my Uncle
was in Tampa, Florida having a meeting with a company called Nextrade trying to sell an item. My
uncle works for the New York stock exchange in a building called NASDAQ. Uncle Bill got a call
from a co-worker that a plane hit the first world trade center tower and that’s where it all began.
When Uncle Bill got the call he thought the plane hitting the world trade center first tower he
thought the plane was small not huge. Then they turned on the news channel and a few minutes
later knew that the next plane hit the second world trade center tower and knew right away
terrorism was happening. He drove right home from Tampa because that day he could not get into
a plane. He rushed threw the door at his house and was relived that his family was safe. But
knowing people he knew died in the towers that were close to him. He did not go to work that day
after what happened and the NASDAQ stocks did not open either.
Getting into bed knowing that having mixed emotions like being mad and upset that workers
more like friends died that day and worried what it would be like with out them, but happy that is
happy was safe and sound.
After a few days my uncle was proud that our nation came together after such a tragedy.
Since my Uncle Bill has an office across from the knocked down twin towers now what he sees is
the beautiful 9-11 memorial which is what is there now. He prays that something like this never
happens again. He thinks I can take a lot from this like never forgetting what happened, even with
places around the world we need to resolve our political and religious differences so this does not
happen. And most of live is fragile so live it well. My prayers are with those you died.
My dad said he could never forget that horrible day of 9/11. It started off as a
normal day. It was my first day of pre-school. He dropped me off and went to the office to
meet his first patient. He was treating a lady by the name of Sally. He finished his work with
her and went to his computer to look at records for his next patient. He was sitting at his desk
when he heard about the tragic event of the plain flying into the twin towers on the radio.
Time stopped! Every one was in shock. Nothing mattered any more. A shiver ran up
my dads back a shiver of worry! My dad said the event was not like a car crash quick, but
seemed to take a long time. It was the longest day of his life! He said he was confused
because he didn’t know why people would want to hurt so many indecent people.
My dad was scared because he and his country is no longer protected by our two
oceans. Life has changed so much since this horrible event. We cant travel the same way
any more. The security is much more strict. This event has changed the way we see our
surroundings and made us more aware of them.
My dad thinks there is much I can learn from this devastating event. That there are
people out in the world who wants to hurt us for no good reason. This event proves that all
Americans are in this together. 9/11 in 2001 is a horrible event that we will never forget. God
bless America!’
By: Emily
My mom said she will forever remember the day the Twin Towers were destroyed in an act of
terrorism. It was a Beautiful, picture- perfect day on September 11, 2001. The skies were blue and the weather
was warm. She had just dropped me off at pre- school and my two brothers had already gone to school. My
mom was on her way to Pets Mart to buy a new fish tank for our frog when she heard about the attack. She
was listening to Howard Stern when he started relaying what he was seeing over the radio. At first, my mom
thought it was a comedy bit until she realized his voice was still serious. That was when she knew what was
happening.
By the end of the day, my mom was feeling really sad. Not nervous, she confirmed, just really,
really sad. She said she was sure we were going to go to war. She was also concerned about the safety of our
country. Since then, she has become more observant of her surroundings but has tried to live life as normal.
She said she was proud that we as a country have moved on.
My mom said that she was not only proud that we have moved on as a country, but that we are
also rebuilding the World Trade Center and the rest of the memorials their building in memory. And in my
mom’s words, if there is one thing me and the rest of my generation can learn from this, it is that life goes on,
even after the worst tragedies.
I learned what it was like for my dad on 9/11. My dad was at the MGM Resort Hotel in
Las Vegas, Nevada for a work meeting. It was a sunny day like most others. He was getting ready
for work in his hotel room, and ate an early breakfast before going to his meeting. He was getting
his suit on to go to his meeting. After that he went down to the lobby to leave and saw the horrible
news. He saw the second plane hit the south tower. He was shocked, scared, and worried about
his family. He right away called my mom to check up on us.
At the end of the of the tragic day he was sad for all the families who lost family
members, and concerned about his family’s safety. But he realized that this can happen in the
U.S.A.. He’s very proud to be an American. He will never forget that day of tragedy. Now when my
dad travels he’s more cautious of his surroundings. He also communicates a lot with his family
while away. Making sure were doing okay and how our day has been going. He’s also telling us
he’s okay and when he’ll be home.
My dad hope this will never happen again and is happy to live in a free country.
This what I learned all summed up about 9/11. Freedom and being a powerful country
can come with a price. Others may want to take it away when we have these things. God Bless
America.
It was a crisp fall day, not a cloud in the sky. A nice breeze, and a good temperature. My mom is
very sad for all the people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. She was with me in our house in
Doylestown. We had lived there ever since I was born. My mother remembers sitting on the family room
couch, watching the news channel, and thinking how unbelievable it was that people would do this to
everybody.
My dad picked up the phone to nervously call my mom to tell her to turn on the news channel to
learn about the attacks. My mom rushed to the television, and turned on Good Morning America. My mom and
I were sitting on the couch watching the news together when my mom was still talking to my dad. She sat and
stared at the television, squeezing my hand tight in her lap. Tears almost started to come out of her eyes.
My mom was watching the TV, and felt extremely sad, shocked and disbelief for what was
happening in New York City. How could someone have that bad of a heart to drive a plane in to the twin
towers and pentagon? That question was stuck in my moms head all day. My mom called lots of people, and
told them to turn on the news. She was on the phone for like one hour! Nobody could believe this was
happening. Everyone was scared for their life.
She thought it was amazing how we all came together to unite, like a wave of patriotic through
America. And also work through what had happened on September 11, 2001. This changed the way my mom
lived because its on her mind a lot. She also knew someone from collage that died in the World Trade Center.
My mother will always remember this horrible event that happened on 9/11. I can learn to think about what
happened that day, and all the people who died on that day.
My mom remembers this day, and so does America
– By Jessica
9/11. One of the worst days in our nations history. On September 11th 2001 two planes
piloted by terrorists, crashed into World Trade Center and WTC2. Neither buildings survived the
crash. My mom remembers that day to the detail.
She says, as many others do, that it started off as a beautiful fall day. Nothing seemed out
of the ordinary or anything of that sort, because nobody knew what was going to happen. My dad was
out at work and my mom was home with two babies, me and my little sister. I was only two and my
sister was younger, so we weren’t exactly sure what was going on. So my mom started out the day as
she usually would, but at around 8:45, she got a call from her sister, Karen.
“Turn on the TV,” she said
When the TV was on, my mom saw what was going on. She saw the planes who took so
many peoples lives crash into the buildings and saw the buildings later crumble down. So many
people at the scene and people watching it were in shock and couldn’t believe it was happening.
When I, the little two year old, saw the TV, I said “Are those buildings still falling down?” At that time
my parents knew to turn off the TV.
When that day was finally over, my mom felt scared for the future of America, as did many
others, although she didn’t feel different about our country. There were many tributes to 9/11 and the
people who lost their lives and their families. Lots of Americans felt a surge of nationalism after the
event. At sports events crowds shouted “USA USA!”
As a result to that day, my family travels by plane less and takes more road trips. My
mom says to never take a day for granted because you don’t know if it will be your last. Even though I
don’t remember the day of September 11th 2001, I will never forget about it.
A Day We Will Never Forget By: Matt
My Dad said he remembers the moment of 9/11 occurring like it was yesterday, while he was at work
in Jackson, New Jersey. He says he saw it happening when he, and everyone else were huddled around a small
security television in an office while watching the second plane crash into the south tower, and both towers go up
in smoke. That was the moment when everyone knew what had happened it was clear, it was not an accident.
The things he vividly remembers from that day are very clear to him. He recalls how all work stopped,
and no matter what anyone was doing they paused and crowded around the small screen with the news on it. My
dad says he remembers how everyone was just in pure disbelief that this catastrophe had actually taken place, no
one knew exactly what was going on. Whether it was an accident, or something else, everyone was just in
complete confusion.
Everyone that was in the building had gained knowledge of the attacks from watching the TV, my Dad
said. Every body learned that this was not an accident it was confirmed as an terrorist attack on America from the
second plane crashing into the South Tower, and an hour later the attack on the pentagon.
Everyone was in such disbelief at the end of the day my Dad remembered. No one could believe that
this terrorist attack had happened on U.S. soil, and everybody had woken up that day that the United States was
vulnerable for attack, and violence could happen in America. By the end of the day everybody was in complete
shock, and the U.S. had their eyes widened with grief and with a wave of nationalism.
My Dad recalled how differently he thought of America after the attacks on 9/11 and said America was
woken up after that, and it was available for attack. Everyone knew that an attack was possible, and it could
happen on American soil. Now everyone saw America with pride, and was proud to be a citizen of the U.S.
My Dad said 9/11 not only changed how he lived, but how everyone lived. Now it changed how
everybody traveled, when you go to New and you see Ground Zero, and also how much more caution everyone
took knowing that the U.S. was vulnerable for an attack. He also said that it was connected to the crash of the
Stock Market which definitely affected everyone even more. So in the end 9/11not only affected the victims in the
World Trade Center, but it affected everyone on many ways.
Americans now stay aware that terrorist attacks can happen anytime, and it can happen any where
even in the U.S. No one will forget what happened on 9/11.
My Dad says that we can learn the points of view of other people. And how they view the U.S. after the
terrorist attack on 9/11, and attacks can happen on American soil.
By DJ
The following story is my Mom Moms memory of September 11, 2001. A tragic day in
American history. The day of September 11, 2001 my Mom Mom was at her mothers house
watching television, waiting to go to the doctors. Suddenly, a breaking news information line
popped up. They read it. It said that the twin tower 1 was hit by an airplane. Then they said that
the second tower was hit. That’s when she knew that it wasn’t an accident.
At the end of the day, Mom mom felt terrible. She felt so bad about the people who
lost their lives because, of Osama Bin Laden’s plan.. My Mom she felt insecure about America
after the attacks. Mostly, knowing that it could happen to anybody now, she felt we needed more
security, to keep us safe from another attack like the tragic one on that day.
The 9/11 attack has changed the way my Mom mom lives today. Every morning
feeling bad for those innocent people and heroes who died that day because of the attack. My
mom mom feels bad for the families who didn’t get to cremate those who died. That or bury them
where they wanted to be buried. Now that I Know the tragic consequences of the 9/11 tragic
situation, I realize how lucky I am to be living everyday safe and sound. Also, that we Americans
need to stick together.