Avila Remembers 9/11

by Julie Gale

Today was a day of remembrance for many.  Eleven years have passed since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  But for many people the memory is still fresh in their minds as if it happened only one year ago.  There were reminders and ceremonies all over the city and country today to remind us of what happened on that calm September day all those years ago. As usual, the names of all those that lost their lives that day were read at the site where the World Trade Centers had stood.  President Obama and First Lady Michelle gathered in the South Lawn at the White House and paused for a moment of silence. United States flags were flown at half mast across today, and there were ceremonies at every police station and fire station across the country.   But despite the flag being flown at half mast on the Avila campus, it seemed to be a typical Tuesday. 

Senior Erin Pettus recalls where she was that day.  “I remember that the teachers were acting strange and they kept leaving the classroom. We were given pieces of paper that we were to give to our parents that said the students were not yet told about the attacks. My friends mom picked us up from school and we drove by a gas station. That was crazy.  There were cars lined up all the way down the street waiting to get gas.  When I was dropped off at home my mom told me not to watch TV until she got home. My friend had told me two planes had crashed into the World Trade Centers. But I didn’t know what that was, so I didn’t understand what that meant.  When my mom got home she explained what had happened to my brother, sister, and me.” 

Maggie Thomason is a second year nursing student.  She was only in fifth grade when the attacks occurred, but she has thought about how the attacks have impacted her.  “As a nursing student I can’t imagine what it would have been like to be in New York or D.C. that day.  The hospitals would have been overwhelming and I would’ve been scared to be a nurse there that day.  I have a lot of respect for the nurses, firefighters, and all the first responders that helped the victims that day.”

September 11 is a date that Americans growing up in this day and age will always be remembered.  But our feelings as the years go will change.  The hate and anger will gradually fade and the sadness may eventually begin to fade as well.  “Now that I am older I understand everything more.  My feelings aren’t as full of anger now that I’ve had time to think about it for eleven years.  I just have sorrow for the victims and their families. This is a date that I will always remember and keep in my heart” says senior Katherine Noland.