It was a typical newspaper deadline morning. I was a sports reporter for the Alexandria Gazette. I had gotten to my work office pre-dawn and gone about drafting my stories. Several hours later, a co-worker quickly visited and asked if I had heard the news. I looked at her puzzled and she informed me of an airplane crash into one of the Twin Towers of New York City.
That was Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001 - a horrid day that forever changed all American lives. Soon, my co-workers and I learned The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia - located about six miles from our newspaper offices - had been struck as well. The 495 Capital Beltway, which loops around Washington, D.C. and parts of suburbia Virginia and Maryland, was eerily deserted of drivers as I returned home that evening. Government workers throughout the metropolitan area had been sent home early due to the attacks and the beltway traffic was light with an uneasy, spirit-dampening pall.
Last Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, marked the 23rd anniversary of 9/11. At Grants High School, my 11th grade Language Arts classes spent the week studying the context of the dreadful day and some speech is given by then U.S. President George W. Bush. I almost found myself trying too hard to teach the lessons of 9/11 because I wanted so much for my students to understand the magnitude that day had on our country. But I then realized these students could not truly appreciate the enormity of the events that day simply because they were not even born yet, just as someone of my birth year (1963) could not truly appreciate the toll the Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor took on a previous generation.
But assignments students completed on Bush's nationally televised speech, titled, `9/11: The Steel of American Resolve,' proved they somewhat did get the President's words regarding one of the darkest days in U.S. history more than I realized.
The assignment was as follows: `Pretend you were the President of the United States when America was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. Write a 10–15-line speech on what you would say to the American people if you were to address them on national TV after the attacks. Write as if you are the President himself, talking to the TV audience.' I want to share two pieces of student work regarding the assignment. They reflect how well most of the students did.
'My fellow Americans, I come before you today because of an unfortunate turn of events. This attack against America was due to hatred of our country because of our freedom, our liberty, and our belief that every man is equal. This terrorism attack has shaken our nation to its core but has shown our strength and resilience as a people. We mourn the loss of innocent lives that have been lost and honor those who risked it all to help others. In this darkness the light of the American people has been shown. Our resolve is strong, and we will not crumble before the adversary. Remember what we have lost but also what great values we have shown during this hard time. We will make sure that justice is served. Let us hold onto this unity that we currently share with one another. Thank you and may God bless America.'
- Shad Merayo 'My fellow Americans, yesterday, our nation experienced an unthinkable tragedy. We were attacked in a way that left us all profoundly shaken and heartbroken. Innocent lives were lost, and our sense of security was deeply violated. But in the face of this adversity, we stand united and resolute. To those who have lost loved ones, our hearts go out to you. We share in your grief and sorrow. To the brave first responders who risked their lives to save others, we owe you a debt of gratitude that words cannot fully express. Your courage and selflessness are the embodiment of the American spirit. As we move forward, we must remain vigilant and steadfast. We will hunt down those responsible for these heinous acts and bring them to justice. Our nation will not be intimidated by terror. Instead, we will rise stronger, more determined, and more united than ever before. In this time of sorrow, let us lean on each other and find strength in our shared values of freedom, democracy, and resilience. Together, we will rebuild, we will heal, and we will emerge from this darkness into a brighter future.'
- Amelia Torres