A Shocked Nation

If you were to ask any person born before 1995, they more than likely will recall the exact place and time when they first heard the news...

What News you may ask? Sit back and read my tale and I'm sure you can figure out exactly what event I am talking about.

I was sitting in my First period 7th grade History class with Mr. DiCarlie, just after Home room. He was having us do the same weekly routine of reading the chapter and define the bold vocab words. The time was 0849, when our class was interrupted by the intercom system over head. It was my Principal Colonel Murray Neeper (U.S. Army Reserves). In the most calm, cool, and collected voice possible he uttered these words. "Students and Staff... I have just received word of the most devastating tragedy which has just occurred on our soil since December 7, 1941. Just minutes ago our nation came under attack by a group of individuals that wants to do harm to our great nation. Teachers I ask you to use your discretion, based on your judgement turn your tv to CNN, you will see for yourselves what has just occurred."

Mr. D. told the class he was not going to show us the important event that had just occurred. So being the student of history I am, I got up out of my seat and walked to the door. Mr. D. threatened to write any student up that walked out of his classroom. I turned around and said, "Sir, do what you must, but I will be in the office with our Principal, Vice Principal, Disciplinarian, And my Grandfather before you fill out the form!"

As I closed the door, and walked down the hall way, rushed down the stairs, and down the last 100 ft of hall. Just as I was about to take the short cut through the detention room to the administration offices, I was greeted by Captain Casey USAF (my vice principal). He escorted me to my Grandfathers 8th grade math room. When he opened the, there stood all the administrators gathered around one huge box tv. 

I was directed to take a seat at the desk between Mr. Neeper and Mr. Steis (grandfather). Mr. Neeper was on the phone with his contacts at the Pentagon while I saw a huge cloud of smoke billowing out of a busted tower in New York City. The reports kept stating that the building was hit by a plane. I watched as a second plane struck the other large tower. That was the first time I ever heard my principals swear. Mr. Neeper slammed his satellite phone down on the desk and said some stream of bad words ending with the Pentagon has just been hit too. He followed that up with there are reports of a plane being hijacked over PA right now.

They debated if we should go into lock down mode, or continue about our day... We ended up going to all 8 classes, but not me... By then that detention slip had made its way via messenger to my Principals hands. He scribbled a reply and handed me the carbon copy. The only thing he said to me after that is I was not to leave the room unless I was with him or Captain Casey. I guess I served my detention that way, but when It came time for lunch, I was made to go eat with my class and finish off my regular schedule.

Even as I left the building, I was thinking about all those people trapped, killed, and those who now have lost loved ones... little did I know I would get engaged to a woman whose mom was working just down the block when the towers fell. I completely forgot that it was my younger brothers birthday... (J. Lechner) 

 

Make a copy of this 9-11-2001 Interview Links to an external site.                                                                                                                                                                                          See a  Student Example click here Links to an external site.

 

Zoom Recording 9/4/2020