Eleven Years Later and Many Lessons Still to be Learned

Eleven Years Later and Many Lessons Still to be Learned
By: Todd M. Schoenberger, @TMSchoenberger

I never know how to start a column about September 11th. I generally like to look at what I have in archives, thinking it’ll just be easy to recycle an article. I’ve written ten of them, simply changing the date and title seem to be the easy way out.

And, that’s when I stop. There is no easy way out.

The events of that day continue to haunt Americans. It’s been eleven years, and I seriously doubt each and every one of us who lived through it will ever forget. Sure, many will try by focusing on other matters of the day; but, the reality of it is, the American way of life forever changed when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower at 8:46am.

Personally, I have never been able to board a flight and not look at my fellow passengers without a raised eyebrow of suspicion; and then formulate some fictitious plan of stepping forward in the event “something happens.” I seriously doubt I’m alone with these thoughts.

Or, how many take a stroll in New York City on a crisp, sunny morning similar to September 11, 2001, and not wonder if today is the day another attack occurs. It makes you crazy, but you must keep on living. Going through the rest of your days as a hermit because you’re thinking and waiting for the next terrorist attack will always mean the enemy wins.

As I get older, I am faced with another challenge regarding 9/11: How do you explain the day to your children?

Through various conversations with my oldest, the history of the day is understood; but the intent is not. That’s the tricky part: explaining what happened is difficult, but explaining the rationale is incredibly complicated. After all, we live in a country with unlimited freedoms and unlimited opportunities. Wouldn’t everyone want to be here, or at least emulate our way of life? Why would anyone want to destroy it?

I have been advised there will be several lessons today about September 11th, which says to me the teachers will probably take the easy way and simply read from a Wikipedia column. The hard part will be when the children return home asking the more finite, detailed questions. Even for those born after September 11th, the message is certain to sting. It’s how we as adults, the ones who experienced it first hand, choose to paint the picture for our children.

Living in fear should never be an option for Americans. Let’s hope the next generation is taught this over and over, so they too never forget about the details of that awful day. But also they understand that perseverance and resiliency are not just words, but the core fabric of what makes us Americans.