The CHIEF September 2016

Remembering 9/11

“Home”

By Kaelee Germain

It was just like any other day around the world 15 years ago; families woke up, got dressed, ate together, and left for their busy work day ahead. However, 2996 of those American workers wouldn’t come home at the end of the day, while 6,000 more would be injured during it. This day, of course, will forever be remembered simply as “9/11.” It began with Al Qaeda hijacking two American flights. At 8:06 am, American Airlines Flight 11 struck the north World Trades Center tower and at 9:03 United Airlines Flight 175 struck the south World Trades Center tower. Exactly 102 minutes is the time difference between the first attacks to the collapse of both towers. It’s ironic isn’t it? That only 102 minutes separated our country from a normal work day to our country’s leaders wanting war on Al Qaeda for destroying the lives and futures of many Americans. In 102 minutes, the average person may complete homework or go through a daily team practice or make supper and have the dishes cleaned and put away. Yet those 102 minutes are what changed America leading into the rest of the twenty-first century. As of 2016, one may spot the differences in our country, from the amped up security at airports that take (on busy days) over an hour and a half to get through, or the racism that’s been created against Muslims from our fears of the terrorists that share the same religion, or even the creation of Homeland Security. Even the harsh views of presidential candidates (you know the one) on allowing Muslim immigrants into the country is a hard topic to create views on now. On a slightly brighter note, there have been many examples of unity that have brought this country together in part of the attacks. These acts of unity include the creation of “Ground Zero” in New York City, speeches made by political and community leaders alike, and the moment of silence that begins the school day each day. America is not the only country to have dealt with such catastrophe on this scale before. On the 22 of March this year, bombers in Brussels killed nearly 32 people at Zaventem International Airport. Before that, gunmen and suicide bombers killed over 100 people during the Paris attacks on November 13 th . Even before 9/11 there have been bombers and gunmen and all sorts of evil. The importance of each of these events is how the world picks itself up each time. To show that a nation of the people is far greater than one hateful, single-minded individual and that nations of the people have the unity that can overcome hundreds of hateful individuals no matter how gruesome they may be. On this September 11 th , we must remember those who have died due to the attacks, those who continue to fight for our freedom against the same forces responsible for the attacks, and those who are leading us as we come together as a country to move forward from the attacks.

By Eve Pouliot

My average day goes pretty simply. I wake up and I’m exhausted from the inability to sleep the previous night. But, I get up. When you have things to do that’s what you do. As the school day progresses I do my best to push through the tiredness and I have a really good day most days. I get to be social and productive. I love doing those things. But by the end of the day I’m tired again. But this time it’s not from a lack of sleep. It’s because I really don’t want to go home. My home life is sort of messed up right now and it has been for a while. So I don’t like it. But I understand that a lot of people are the opposite way for one reason or another. They have a rough time at school and a good time at home. I know there are some people who don’t want to do either. They don’t want to be at home and they don’t want to be at school. I understand that too. Maybe there are also people who like both. Let me tell you, if you are one of those people I envy you. But anyway, I’ve been thinking and I bet there is a place in everyone’s life that they actually feel good. This place can be hard to find but I bet it exists for everyone. Sometimes that place is in plain sight but because you feel so awful you don’t see it. But it’s there and I encourage you to find this place. I encourage you to find your home.

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