Tag Archives: 9/11

Alyssa Book, Blake Dykes, Features

A look into the past: 9/11 still remembered 10 years later

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By Alyssa Book and Blake Dykes

The cover of the New York Times on Sept. 12, 2001.

8:45 a.m.: The first of two airplanes struck the World Trade Center.
9:03 a.m.: The second plane crashes, devastating New York City.
9:43 a.m.: The Pentagon is bombarded.
10:48 a.m.: It is confirmed that a jet has fallen into a field in Western Pennsylvania.

Death total reaches 2,792.

On Sept. 11, 2001 thousands of lives were lost due to the terrorist attacks.

Even though not everyone was directly affected by this disaster, a lot of people every where watched as the country was under attack.

Oddly enough, many people remember specific things from this day, even 10 years later.

“I was teaching a class in the old FC building and the teacher next to me told me planes had hit in New York City and then I turned on the TV and watched it,” said world history teacher Louie Stevens.

Junior Ted Hartog shares his memories. “I was in the first grade and they told us we needed to go home; Open House was also canceled that night.”

Besides the loss of lives and damage done to American property, a long-term war broke out.

“9/11 set the stage of a whole new era. We’ve been at war for the past 10 years and 9/11 is the root of that,” said Stevens.

Freshman Hudson Barlow agreed with Stevens in the aspect that 9/11 brought forth a war.

“I think 9/11 scared a lot of people and started a war.”

Looking back on this event now, people remember this in different ways.

“I think some people sort of got over it, but most people still remember and are sad about it,” said middle school student Cassie Thomerson.

On the other hand, Stevens feels it is fading.

“It’s diminishing because now there are movies about it. It is definitely slipping into history, not feeling the emotion of it.”

However, the 9/11 memorial, now known as National September 11 Memorial & Museum located where the World Trade Center once stood, keeps it relevant and a stunning reminder of that Sept. 11 day.

Hartog expresses his opinion on the memorial.

“The memorial is an appropriate response to 9/11, and it helps that we have our national security under control.”

Alyssa Book, Blake Dykes, Features

A look into the past: introduction into new series

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By Blake Dykes and Alyssa Book

From generation to generation crucial events seem to fade over time and lose their significance.
This week the Bagpiper will revisit drastic moments that have shaped the world and reveal the personal stories behind them. These events include: The Vietnam War, Pearl Harbor, The Holocaust, 9/11, the 2008 Election, the space shuttle tragedy in the 1980s, the Berlin Wall falling, and Hurricane Katrina.

Make sure you check in every day this week for a new addition to this series.

Columns, Danielle Rehor

Need for patriotism grows

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By Danielle Rehor

Acoustic Thoughts

What is patriotism? If you are anything like me, you cannot even spell patriotism. Sad, but true. Perhaps patriotism, to you, means pride in your country, maybe devotion in a cause. In my opinion, patriotism is the act of supporting your homeland. It’s a part of you, and should make you want to change it for the better.

I do not know if you remember how old you were or even what year it occurred, but I know you remember where you were when you heard the towers had been hit. I was in my first- grade class. I didn’t even know where the twin towers were at the time. I remember wondering why my teacher suddenly left the class and gave us busy work. Then later on in the day we watched the news channel, and had a moment of silence.

This event causing great patriotism was Sept. 11. When a disaster this momentous occurs, it brings a nation closer together. We mourned together, prayed together, rebuilt together and got stronger together.

So why is that not the case now? Don’t give poor excuses like the economy or our government. It does not bother me if you do not particularly care for something about our country. Believe me, I am the same way at times. But, I do believe as a whole our country’s patriotism is greatly lacking.

We live in a country that has been blessed beyond belief. Whenever I think of Sept. 11, it makes me reconsider all I have. This country is safer than a lot of places, we have a trustworthy government and a place I can sleep without worries. It’s going to be our generation’s nation soon. Our generation is the future of America. It’s our responsibility to see what is coming down the pike and do something.

We are in an economic crisis. Yeah? There was one in the 30s. Are we going to all starve and die? Nope, I am not planning on it anyway. We are going to struggle through, make it, survive, and then prosper.

Our nation needs to be restored back to a humble, hardworking yet proud country, just like in the 50s. We had just been on the winning side of WWII. We were in some economic trouble, yes. But we were proud of the soldiers that had fought and died fighting for our country. We were ready to start fresh and be better than ever.

We are not in the best of times economically and socially speaking, but we need to stand up for our government, back them up even if you do not always support their ways. It is a matter of pure respect.

We should respect our leaders, even if we cannot stand them. Probably a hard pill for most of us to swallow. I know you are thinking, ‘Well if I don’t like them I’m not going to give them the time of day.’ But we have to play the hand of cards we are given, even if that means shooting for the moon.

There are always going to be good guys and bad guys. Leaders are always going to make some bad decisions. This doesn’t mean we give up and scorn our country. We strive to be proud Americans with pride for our country.

Here are a few songs to get your patriotic blood flowing and inspire you to become more loyal today.

  • “Made in America” by Toby Keith
  • “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” by Alan Jackson
  • “American Soldier” by Toby Keith
  • “God Bless the U.S.A” by Lee Greenwood
  • “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” by Lee Greenwood
  • “Where the Stars and Stripes And the Eagle Fly” by Aaron Tippin
Editorials, Forum

Never forgotten?

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Graphic by Chase Palmer

After the Sept. 11 attacks, one phrase could be seen everywhere. It was plastered on bumper stickers, printed on patriotic t-shirts, and could be found at memorials across the country. That phrase was a promise: we will never forget.

On Sunday it will have been 10 years since we made that promise, but can America really say we never forgot?

Yes, television specials that analyze every aspect of the event will be everywhere, terrorism is sure to be a hot topic on all news channels, and President Obama is bound to make a speech addressing the attacks, but what will everyone else do?

At FC there will not be an assembly in remembrance of the 366 servicemen who lost their lives saving others or the nearly 3,000 victims of the attacks. The only attention the day will receive will be a moment of silence before the announcements.

In a survey done by Rasmussen Reports in September 2009, 49 percent of Americans said their fellow statesmen had already forgotten about the attacks.

Obviously, the day has not been forgotten in the manner that someone forgets where they put their keys, but many would rather forget about that day than remember it or discuss it.

For many, Sept. 11 is a reminder of just how vulnerable our country really is, and is therefore more convenient to forget than to keep fresh in our minds.

To remember that day means to remember the chaos and the lack of control we had over the events taking place on our own doorstep.

Although the topic may be difficult for some to discuss, it is a necessity. It is the responsibility of all who experienced Sept. 11 first hand to share their stories and memories of that tragic day with the next generation.

Sept. 11 should not be pushed to the side. It is a crucial event in our nation’s history and culture, and its effects can be seen anywhere from the New York skyline to airport security.

Instead of labeling it as a painful memory, Sept. 11 should be remembered not just to honor those who died, but to honor what makes our country what it is today.

We all know what happened on Sept. 11, 2001, but what will you do on Sept. 11, 2011?