I was teaching in Tator Hall at Quinnipiac University when it started. I had an 8:00am class. Alyssa and I were living in the apartment in the Commons, a residence hall on campus. We were just married that summer. I was a residence hall director and teaching part time at the university. I came in the door around 9:00am to the Today Show on the television. It was unfolding in front of the whole world - in real time. The “Twin Towers” that had been such a pervasive force in New York were burning. Smoke was trailing into the sky. Those of us who were alive then remember the image. It has been seared into our consciousness. I can not remember another time in my life when we were all focused and united in one cause, through one experience - until now.
When I think about it, or try to teach this moment to my students, the images from that day all hit me at once. It’s tough to navigate the emotions and teach kids about how world-changing that moment was in our lives. The world was different in the wake of the event. I could no longer bring a friend to the terminal when they were flying a plane somewhere. I could not wait on the curbside at Fenway for the gates to open. There were security checkpoints, metal detectors, and an awareness that was not there before.
There were so many people who risked or lost their lives as a result of that day. They are enshrined on memorials and in homes around the nation. I took my high school students to the 9/11 Museum in New York City a couple of years ago and there is a room dedicated to those men and women. Additionally, there is a room where you can experience every moment of that morning. When I walked through that exhibit, the emotions hit me hard. I was back in the Commons with my wife watching it unfold. The office of Residential Life was moved to the Commons due to construction. Carol Boucher, our director, came into our apartment to watch on the television. While she was there, the little TV we had in the bedroom was on CNN and they reported that the Pentagon had been hit. We were under attack.
Those people who risked or lost their lives for others are another example in history where ordinary people do extraordinary things. It is important that we remember the efforts of the people on United Flight 93, at the Pentagon, and in New York City. Below is an article from Business Insider that tell stories of heroism on that day. It is a great reminder how we all came together. Whether it was a former Marine donning his uniform again and helping with the efforts, a group of people overtaking a plane from the terrorists, or a former Vietnam soldier escorting panic stricken people from the building ordinary people made a difference and inspired us all in the wake of one of the worst days in United States history.
We are in the midst of another kind of heroism today. Whether you are a nurse, doctor, fire fighter, police officer, first responder, grocery clerk, mail person, news person, or many others, you are on the front line. I am thankful for your service. But let’s go even further than that. Teachers (full disclosure - a group I belong to) are recreating how we teach. Business people are working from homes to keep the economy moving. My wife is running a non-profit human service agency from her home office. She is on Zoom calls all day. She is getting calls at 11:00pm about issues that need her attention. We are all working together to get through this.
This is different than that horrific day on September 11, 2001. Let’s not say that they are the same. However, there are some similarities. First, we are all experiencing this together, in real time. Not only in the United States, but throughout the world. Second, there are heroes who are keeping us moving - together in this crisis. Watching selfless acts around the world on a daily basis, no matter their circumstances, says so much about humanity and who we are as a society. Third, this is a period of uncertainty. We will be different when we come out the other side. I think, like 9/11, we will be stronger. Steadfast in our willingness to get society moving again and earnest in our endeavor to make this a better world for our children and grandchildren.
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