Photo by National September 11 Memorial & Museum
By Jason Aparicio and Sully Caruso
Twenty-five years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Americans remembered the more than 3,000 lives lost and reflected on a day that forever changed the nation.
Ceremonies in New York, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, reflect on the nation’s resilience and unity and reaffirm a collective commitment to remembering Sept. 11.
The attacks unfolded on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, when Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes. Two planes struck the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, a third hit the Pentagon outside Washington, and the fourth crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers fought back.
For many on campus, the memories of that day remain vivid and deeply personal, with individuals recalling where they were and how the events unfolded. Younger students and faculty, who did not experience the attacks firsthand, have engaged with these memories through classroom lessons, stories, and annual commemorations. This mix of lived experience and educational engagement bridges generations and encourages meaningful reflection.
“There are a few dates that don’t need an explanation for those that live through it, and 9/11 is certainly one of those dates,” said Claude Shields, athletic director at Peace University. “I can still remember being in Mr. Spivey’s 8th grade class; he served in the military prior to teaching and knew exactly what was going on.”
William Christy, the academic support service and second-year experience coordinator, shared insight into what Sept. 11 means to him.
“One of my friends in particular was one of the first responders on that day and he had to deal with some problems and almost certainly some mental health issues since that day,” shared Christy. “Whenever I think about 9/11, I think about the sacrifices he made to do the best that he could to help the people that were there that were suffering and trying to alleviate as much as he could.”
Owen Peterson, a junior majoring in business administration and minoring in anthropology, shared what he learned about Sept. 11
“Like most Americans, I’ve heard the story about 9/11 and have been taught about it in school; I’ve seen photos and video footage growing up,” said Peterson. “ I’ve learned over time that 9/11 isn’t just about the tragedy but about the story of America coming together, not as one people, but as American people.”
Sabrina Gahn, a junior majoring in elementary and special education, said Sept. 11 is deeply personal to her family, though she was not yet born when the attacks occurred.
“Before I learned about 9/11 in school, I learned about it from my parents first,” said Gahn. “My dad was on his commute to work that day, not far from the WTC, and my mom worked in the South Tower but quit a job that meant so much to her three months prior to take care of my sister who was born in March of 2001.”
Drew Shaw, the assistant men’s basketball coach at Peace, said capturing first-hand stories from those who lived that day is important.
“What strikes me the most is the gap between how massive the event was and how small human the individual moments inside were: a phone call, a decision to take the stairs, a colleague running late,” said Shaw. “Nearly 3,000 separate stories, each nearly as real as any single life.”