9/11

September 11, 2001.  I was sixteen and a junior in high school.  I still remember exactly where I was when I heard the news - in first period computer graphics class.  It was around 8:45-ish because I was heading to my next period, US History (ironically enough).  He turned on the TV and let us watch the event, although the high school initially "poo poo"d the idea thinking it was just breaking news, not something worthy of stopping class.  The instant the 2nd tower was hit, though, things quickly changed. Everyone's TV was on.  That's all people wanted to watch.  That's all they talked about.  Kids were on the phones with their parents trying to find out if everyone they knew and loved was safe.  People were starting to find out that the ones they knew weren't all coming home that night.  

In all, parts of that day will remain as vivid as if they had happened only five minutes ago.

September 11th was brought up yesterday at school.  I work with eighth graders.  They're thirteen.  That means they were four when this happened.  I don't remember much of anything from when I was four.  Yes, they have heard of 9-11.  Yes, they have seen a video or photo or montage or two of the events of the day, but it's not the same.  And how could it be?  When I was four the first Spanish commercial was launched on network TV, starting to change the advertisement community and the realization of the demographic shifts in America.  Students in Beijing take over Tiananmen Square in China.  The latter is was so monumental it is still talked about in textbooks and in classes. It was a big deal.  But I was four.  I don't remember.  I only know through reading and watching videos.  

It's different, the memory of something because you watched it happen and the honor given to something you're told to hold in reverence.  9-11, for millions and millions of people like me will be the former - something they remember, something that sits poorly in their stomach because they remember the horror and devastation attached to the event.  For others, it is something they will remember but only because they've been taught to remember it.  That doesn't make it wrong.  It just makes it different.  I imagine people who went through the bombing of Pearl Harbor felt much the same way.  Living in modern day history is an interesting and reflective idea if you allow yourself the time to acknowledge it, realize it, and reflect on it.  

Honor those things which deserve a moment of remembrance.  Maybe you didn't live through it.  Maybe you don't remember it, but people risked their lives and died that day so that you could be exactly where you are right now.  On your couch? Maybe.  Out with friends?  Maybe.  Remembering family? Sure.  Or maybe your even in NYC watching the memorial skyline.  Regardless, on 9-11, nine years later, you are still here.  Learning about it might not have as much of an impact as living through it, but at least people know.