Events
Angelina Higgins and Annica Ganguzza
September 2021
On September 11th, 2001, four commercial flights that were carrying a full tank of fuel were bound for domestic locations in the United States. Instead of reaching their destinations they were hijacked by militants affiliated with the terrorist group Al Qaeda. The attack was massive, destroying the Twin Towers, as well as multiple buildings around the impacted area in New York City. Two of the planes targeted New York, while the other two planes headed to locations further south. The force of the impact of the first plane to hit the Twin Towers left a huge hole near the 80th floor of the first skyscraper at the Twin Towers, this immediately killed hundreds of people and trapped hundreds more on higher floors, as the building collapsed in on itself. Some 18 minutes after the first plane hit, a second plane hit the other Twin Tower, striking near the 60th floor. It then became clear that America was under attack. The citizens of the United States of America bore witness to the worst foreign attack on American soil.
These attacks have come with many long term effects. There has not been a terrorist attack that can compare to 9/11 in the two decades since its occurrence. However, the threat and fear from these attacks has never fully gone away. There have been dramatic changes in the nation's concerns about safety, vigilance, and privacy. As a result of these attacks, The USA Patriot Act was introduced, this prioritized national security and defense. In recent years, the Americans who consider terrorism a major national problem has immensely declined while issues such as the economy, COVID-19, and racism have become more prominent problems in the public’s eyes, but this does not mean that the lasting effects of 9/11 are not ever present.
Despite the horrific tragedy on that day and the days after, it could be argued that the increase in security that resulted from the attacks on September 11th, 2001 was for the greater good of the nation. The attacks also highlighted some of America's greatest qualities. The people of the United States and other countries were brought together like never before. The lives of those who were lost and the heroic acts of many will live on forever. We will never forget this day of patriotism and sacrifice.
In remembrance of the lives that were lost and the amazing people who reached out to help, Greenport School celebrated Patriot Day on the front lawn before first period on Friday, September 9th. Under a bright blue sky the entire student body and staff gathered together to remember the sacrifice of that day. This Patriot Day marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The Greenport NJROTC company brought the flag to half mast and presented colors while “A Proclamation on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance" issued by President Biden was read by sophomore, Peter Gwiazda. This was a beautiful ceremony; people driving by and walking the streets stopped and commemorated the day with our Greenport Family. Although few of the present students at Greenport were alive to experience the tragic day twenty years ago, it shakes all of us and shapes the world that we live in.