Remembering September 11th: Where Were You? New Texas Social Studies Adds Coverage of 9/11
It’s been nine years now since that dark day on September 11, 2001, when our country was so viciously attacked. For older generations, people know where they were exactly, when our President John F. Kennedy was shot. For my generation, and many other generations, 9/11 has left that same unforgettable memory in our minds.
SEPTEMBER 11TH, TODD BEAMER NOW IN TEXAS SOCIAL STUDIES!
The new Texas Social Studies standards update gave the Texas State Board of Education the opportunity to rightfully add coverage of September 11, 2001 to high school social studies all_HS_TEKS_2ndRdg[1] and add Todd Beamer, one of the heroes of Flight 93 who said “Let’s Roll!”, to third grade social studies all_ELEM_TEKS_2ndRdg[1].
Take time today to reflect on that tragic day. Reflect on the men and women who lost their lives and many others who gave their lives, in the act of rescuing others. On that day, many people ran from the Twin Towers, and understandably so. But many of our fine men and women in law enforcement and fire/rescue ran towards the towers.
That’s one of the images I have in my mind when I think, not only of September 11th, but when I think of America and Americans. We are always ready to lead, to march towards danger to protect and save the lives of our fellow citizens and citizens of our countries as well. That’s why our experiment, our concept and principle of freedom, continues to be the one that endures.
Where were you?
I remember where I was that day, that morning of September 11, 2001. I was driving down North Park Drive, in Kingwood, Texas. I had just began my second year in law school, and I was headed to downtown Houston, to the University of Houston Law Center, for my morning class. Federal Income Tax. As usual, I was listening to the radio, to get my update of news to start my morning. It’s about a 40-45 minute commute, and I had just started the drive when I heard the first report that there was a fire at on of the World Trade Center towers in New York. There was some speculation about what caused the fire and even that a plane maybe have collided with the tower. I had personally traveled to New York City two times recently then, in 1999 and again in 2000.
In 1999, while in NYC, I had actually taken a trip on the ferry that takes you out to the Statue of Liberty. Our ferry trip was cut short because of bad weather, but in the process I was able to take pictures of the NYC skyline, with some of my most treasured pictures of the Twin Towers, soaring up to the sky.
So when I heard the initial reports, I had a very clear image in my mind of the area, eventhough I was hearing the report over the radio air waves. I even may have felt more of a connection to what was being reported as well, that seemed more real to me, than if I had never traveled there.
I remember so clearly, what happened next. As the reporter was still trying to get information about the cause of the fire, it happened. The second plane crashed into the other tower. It was so clear the shock and disbelief in the reporter’s voice when he described what had happened right before his eyes. I think we all knew then at that moment, that this was likely a coordinated attacked, and not an accident. That’s when everything changed.
Our organization is so proud to work to defend the fundamental concepts of faith, family, and freedom. These are the very concepts that some use as motivation to attack our country. We are also honored that we have the privilege to represent such fine people and organizations, including numerous military veterans organizations, such as the American Legion and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and many others. These veteran know first hand the meaning of sacrifice and the price of freedom.
On this, the 9th anniversary of 9/11, let us raise our flags high and take time to give thanks and reflect on all who put their lives on the line for our continued safety and freedom.
Where were you?