It has been almost 11 years since the world was shocked by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. One of the few attacks by foreign parties on American soil and killing approximately 3,000 people from various nations, 9/11 is one of the most tragic events in recent history. Many people use it as a historical marker, creating a rift between before and after this atrocity.
The majority of Seaver undergraduates were young at the time of the attacks and have this day ingrained into their childhood. The Graphic interviewed students and asked them to recall what they can remember about that day and how it has impacted their lives.
Jillian Dull
(Mechanicsville, Va.)
Q: Where were you when the attack happened?
A: “When the planes hit, I was at school in the art classroom where I was helping our teacher set up for the day. When the school found out what had happened, every television in the school was turned off, as were radios. Everyone was sent back to their home-base classrooms where we were informed we would be leaving school early and were to proceed to the buses as if it were the end of the day. We were not told what was going on and most of us had no idea what had happened until we got home. I remember my dad was waiting for me at the bus stop, which was not typical. He looked very upset, and he tried to explain to me what was going on as I watched the footage of the planes crashing over and over again. I remember my mom got home soon after, and we sat on the couch paralyzed as we tried to rationalize the events of that day. I remember being too afraid to sleep that night, and I had to fall asleep on the couch wrapped in my dad’s arms to feel safe.”
Q: What is one specific thing you remember about that day?
A: “I distinctly remember my dad tearing up as he explained to me what was happening and how torn up he was by the fact that anyone could have this much hate. It is the first memory I have of seeing my father cry, something that I have only seen twice since then.”
Q: Did you know anyone affected by it?
A: “My father had a former business client who had an office on the ground floor of the second building that was hit. He was out of the office on vacation that week and the store was closed, but his store was totally destroyed, and my dad was extremely worried about him for a week before we heard from him. It was frightening having someone directly affected, and those days were so tense. I cannot even imagine how it would have been to have a family member affected!”
Q: Looking back, what have you taken from 9/11 and/or what influence has it had on your life?
A: “My family took quite a lot away from the events. It renewed our appreciation for each other, and it made us so thankful for our safety. We made a rule that day that we would never leave a conversation without saying “I love you.” It really shook us, but it always reminds me how lucky I am to have my family and every day that I am granted to spend on this earth.”
Michael Ivey
(Bronx, N.Y.)
Q: Where were you when the attack happened?
A: “I was in school when 9/11 occurred. We were having class when an announcement was made, and all the teachers had a meeting. They all came back and turned on the TV for all of us to watch the horrid news. They then let us out early to go check on our families.”
Q: What is one specific thing you remember about that day?
A: “I remember that my cousin worked in the area where the attack took place, and everyone in the family was trying to reach him to make sure he was okay. We all started to lose hope that he was okay, but we finally heard from him about eight hours later. His train was delayed on his way to work, so he never made it to Manhattan. He was just trapped in the subway because of all the police and firefighters.”
Q: Did you know anyone affected by it?
A: “I was blessed because none of my family, my friends or their family lost any loved ones. I know a few people that lost their jobs that worked in the area because it was shut down for awhile, but I’m just glad no one I know died.”
Q: Looking back, what have you taken from 9/11 and/or what influence has it had on your life?
A: “I learned to never take family or friends for granted. I never thought something of that nature would occur and not being able to know if my cousin was alive or not is not a good feeling.”
Nicole Dougan
(Riverside, Calif.)
Q: Where were you when the attack happened?
A: “I was at home getting ready to go to my baby sitter because I was off track of my school system in fifth grade.”
Q: What is one specific thing you remember about that day?
A: “Moment of silence on the radio. It was a long time, five to ten minutes.”
Q: Did you know anyone affected by it?
A: “No, not directly.”
Q: Looking back, what have you taken From 9/11 and/or what influence has it had on your life?
A: “It was a senseless act of violence on innocent people. Shows me that as humans we are quick to attack or be fearful of other people who are different from us rather than accept them, and it hinders us greatly.”
