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It Literally Takes Your Heart And Breaks It – Local Students Describe Their Visit To 9/11 Memorial
September 11, 2013
It literally takes your heart and breaks it.
That’s how Northview High School senior Anna Fischer described her visit to the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. Fischer was among nine Northview High School Yearbook staff members that visited New York City in March.
The students were just 3-5 years old when the Twin Towers fell; some of them have but faint memories of the actual day. Their memories are instead shaped by what history, television and the internet has showed them over and over. The planes, the crashes. The collapses, the unimaginable aftermath.
Tuesday, one day before 9/11 and six months after their visit to the 9/11 Memorial, we asked the Northview yearbook students to describe what they felt as they stood at Ground Zero. Below are their stories, in their own words, and their photographs.
Dalton Daniel — First going to the memorial, I thought, “This is going to be so awesome!”, which is exactly how I felt about the whole trip. But as soon as I saw the small park, the north and south pools and the new construction of the World Trade Center, I was overwhelmed with amazement. Seeing the names around the pools gave me a melancholy but inspirational feeling. Needless to say, the view of the 9/11 Memorial was perfect and was one of the greatest sights I’ve ever experienced.
Anna Fischer – Standing in the place of where the two twin towers stood was a phenomenal feeling, but it was also very emotional. Walking up to the site, everything was quiet. Friends and family members of those in the accident standing by the pools, looking for their loved one’s name. Walking through the site, its like I could see the whole incident of 9/11 reenacted in my mind. It literally takes your heart and breaks it. It was such a marvelous and emotional experience, and I’d love to be able to go back.
Tamara Green — During our trip to New York, I was able to experience the 9/11 Memorial. It was very touching scenery and definitely one that I will never forget. Seeing the names of the victims that passed away during this tragedy is really what touched me the most. It was an emotional site to visit, but I am grateful that we all had a chance to honor the victims.
Justin King– Visiting the 9/11 Memorial was a sobering experience. I felt grief for the families who lost loved ones. It was an experience I would be happy to have again.
Kamryn Brock — While at the 9/11 Memorial I realized to never take what you have for granted because you never know what the next day will bring. I felt a lot of grief for those who lost someone during this tragedy. It was an amazing feeling when we all gathered together to say a prayer.
Bethany Reynolds — Visiting the 9/11 Memorial submersed me in emotions; it was so unreal. Only being three when the attack occurred, I remember very little. Being at the location where so many innocent lives were lost was truly saddening. The emotions I felt are almost indescribable because being there in person just tugs at your feelings in so many directions. The memorial was a quiet place where those who lost their lives are remembered and where I prayed for those still mourning over their lost loved ones. Seeing all of the names of lives lost allowed me to realize how thankful I really am for my freedom.
Julia Thorpe – Being able to visit the 9/11 memorial in New York City was surreal and humbling. In the first grade, I did not understand the impact of a terrorist attack or the collective heartache it gave our nation. For the average citizen, the passing of 9/11 each year is a day of remembrance, but for the families of those victims, each and every day is a struggle full of deep sorrow because they lost a loved one for no other reason than pure hate. Seeing the names on the memorial reminded me that those people were innocent Americans living their lives, and getting caught up in an unimaginable nightmare. Despite the sadness that the memorial brought, it also deepened my immeasurable gratitude for being able to live in this country, where the nation came together for such a tragedy and where our military defends our freedoms.
Zach Johnson — At the 9/11 Monument, I felt a lot of different emotions. From sadness, caused by the loss of so many individuals, to the thankfulness for the brave first responders, various emotions moved in me. It was clear that the monument was a sacred spot, a spot that honored everyone affected by the tragedy that occurred. I was moved at the way it affected not only me, but everyone else at the monument.
Maranda Moye – Visiting the 911 memorial was something that really made an impact on the way I think about things. Seeing the actual place where so many people were killed was almost surreal. I felt true reverence for the lives that were lost that day. I think what really shook me up was seeing a mother’s name on the memorial followed by, “her unborn child”. It makes you stop and think how fragile life truly is.
The students are pictured at the bottom of the page, scroll down.
9/11 Memorial photos by Anna Fischer, Justin King and Bethany Reynolds for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Above: Memorial to the first responders that perished at the World Trade Center site.
Above: St. Paul’s Chapel, constructed in 1766. It is the oldest public building in continuous use in Manhattan. It hosted George Washington on his Inauguration Day and survived the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
Pictured above, at the 9/11 Memorial last March, are Northview High Yearbook staff members Julia Thorpe, Kamryn Brock, sponsor Alison Robinson, Anna Fischer, Maranda Moye, Bethany Reynolds, Zach Johnson, Tamara Green, Zach Johnson and Justin King. Not pictured is Megan Carroll. Julia Thorpe, Maranda Moye and Dalton Daniel have since graduated from Northview.
Comments
6 Responses to “It Literally Takes Your Heart And Breaks It – Local Students Describe Their Visit To 9/11 Memorial”
REGARDING;
“I cannot help but wonder how many more lives would have been lost if those two towers had toppled over, rather than pancaking as they did to the ground below.”
Of course, it wouldn’t have happened, things only move sideways if some external force pushes them sideways and the only force acting on the towers was gravity pulling straight down, but if it HAD toppled over, it would have only been from the point of impact upward, not the floors below. Those people wouldn’t have been crushed, so who knows? maybe the death toll would have been lower.
(And now that nobody’s reading this thread any more, literally means actually so to literally
nope, someone might still be reading so not gonna finish that sentence, wouldn’t be prudent. might figuratively crush someone.)
David for removing from the earth
everyone who would do a thing
like was done on 9/11/01
without becoming like them
As with the assassination of President Kennedy, I recall where I was when the Twin Towers, and America, attack took place.
ABC National news on 9/11/13 barely made mention of the event.
They spent more time discussing an American soldier who has gone over to al quieda. Disturbing.
God, please bless America, we need Your help.
“Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?”
Growing up, I never understood how it was my grandparents could tell me exactly where they were and what they were doing when President Kennedy was assassinated. . . . Now I understand. I can tell you where I was and what I was doing that morning. And I will never forget it.
Fortunately, I have one thing that will allow me to be happy on September 11th – today is my dad’s AND sister’s birthday! I talked to both of them this morning at about the same time I was watching this on the “breaking news” 12 years ago. It helps me always remember, as Miss Brock said, “never take what you have for granted because you never know what the next day will bring.”
Thank you for reminding us all about 911. Well written comments by the students and great photos. It’s nice to see that young people like this have learned someting in school, and it’s nice to see they had the chance to visit the memorial. Major life lesson they’ll never forget. And may we never forget the sacrifices of those that died in the terroist attacks.
A horrible moment in American History.
I cannot help but wonder how many more lives would have been lost if those two towers had toppled over, rather than pancaking as they did to the ground below.
I am glad they got to see it. I hope EVERYONE takes a moment to think about all your rights, and then THANK GOD you have them.