September 11—the phrase just hangs in the air whenever it is stated—on television, over a loudspeaker or in everyday conversation.
Ten years have passed since September 11, 2001, but the connoted rainbow of emotions has not faded with time. For most Duke students, it is difficult to forget where they were on 9/11. But for those of us who were raised on the East coast, the attacks were in our own backyards.
The fact that 10 years have passed since we last saw the Twin Towers is unfathomable. For many Dukies, 10 years represents over half of their lives. It doesn’t really feel like 10 years, does it? Part of me wants to say it was ages ago—but then again, the day still feels so vivid in my memory. September 11 was and is the only time I have ever seen my father cry.
It is important to remember that everyone has a story to tell. Duke students shared with me their memories of 9/11, and many shared their tears. They recounted stories of family members whose lives were lost and of new family bonds formed. They spoke of their new fears formed that day and of their undying appreciation for those who risked their lives to save others.
There are students like sophomore Akhil Sharma, who was ostracized by his peers for a time directly following 9/11, most likely because of his skin tone. Then there are students like freshman Ben Freeberg, whose uncle died in the Twin Towers in order to rescue two people. But what connects all of us, regardless of where we were on the Eastern seaboard, is that we felt the attacks in a very personal manner.
“My dad had meetings at the Twin Towers. It could have been my father or anyone else's killed that day,” said freshman Julia Goodman, from Scarsdale, New York.
I think Julia’s point best sums up the thoughts of many Americans when they reflect on September 11—it really could have been anyone on those flights or in the buildings attacked. So much was left up to chance—a notion still hard to swallow.
When I asked other students about their memories, many had similar tales to recount.
“I was so young—I didn’t understand the implications of what had happened,” said Margaret Morrison, a freshman originally from Washington, D.C. “The principal came and explained what had happened, and I remember not really getting it.”
As I sit at my laptop finishing this piece, I feel a lump in my throat remembering back to 2001.
Ten years later, Americans are able to reflect on the day with interesting perspective. Think about what has happened since September 11—the aftermath is unreal. One day’s events left just under 3,000 Americans dead. One day’s events sent us into two wars. And one day’s events catapulted a man whom none of us had previously known in our ignorant youth to international spotlight: Osama bin Laden.
Coming into the tenth anniversary of 9/11, we have a lot for which to be thankful. But most of all, I think Americans are thankful that Bin Laden is not here to share the anniversary with us. I saw my father cry for the first time on September 11, 2001, but I saw him smile on May 1, 2011 when I ran into his room screaming, “WE GOT HIM!”
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.