“One of the worst days in America’s history saw some of the bravest acts in Americans’ history. We’ll always honor the heroes of 9/11. And here at this hallowed place, we pledge that we will never forget their sacrifice.”
—President George W. Bush at the Pentagon in 2008
Remembering 9/11/01
I will always remember Tuesday, September 11, 2001. I was sitting in the office of one of my colleagues disciplining a student who had made an error in judgement that resulted in being a destructive decision. After calling his mom and stepping out in the main office, I was confronted with unfamiliar facial expressions on the administrative assistants. They were looking up at the television in disbelief. I looked up and still not understanding what I was seeing, I try to grasp what was happening. Needless to say, after a few moments I finally comprehended what was happening. However, the true impact did not become apparent to later in the day, week, month and year. In reality, on this 18th anniversary of the attacks, the who, the what, and the why is still difficult to believe and understand.
9/11: We Must Never Forget
What I do know is that its is very important that we do not limit our remembrance to one day a year. We must live our lives with remembrance of the terror of that day, of the victims who died, those who survived, and of the families who continue to suffer the impact in ways we will never understand. We must remember the heroes. We must also remember the spirit of unity, the call to service and volunteerism, and the importance of commemoration.
It is no secret that September 11 is recognized as a time for reflection as well as an opportunity to facilitate and nurture amiable relationships with people whose backgrounds differ from our own. Because of its importance and its impact, it not only known as 9/11, but has since been memorialized as a National Day of Service and Remembrance and as Patriot’s Day
9/11 Books
Three of my favorite books are listed below. I’ve linked youtube readings to each respective book. Although they can be found online, I enjoy having my own personal copies and recommend that you consider purchasing them for your own collection, but until then…
- The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, by Mordicai Gerstein
- Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman
- September Roses by Jeanette Winters
Following the collapse of the towers, Philippe Petit was interviewed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzRffFXKAZY) about his original walk, 9/11 and about the attack that caused the Towers to fall.
An A-Z List to Remembering & Commemorating 9/11
ACKNOWLEDGE and remember the attacks, the victims, the heroes, the survivors and the families of 9/11 by commemorating the annual observance of 9/11 known as Patriot Day and as National Service.
BEAUTIFY an area of a school or community building or landmark as a commemoration of the spirit of unity represented on that September 11.
CREATE an expression piece (i.e.: story, drawing, sculpture, replica, poem, song, video, presentation, mural, letter, marquee saying, photo, poster, painting, prose, haka, etc.).
DESIGN a Hallway of Heroes in honor of the victims, survivors and families. Actual 911 Heroes or local heroes can be honored in this Hallway.
ENGAGE in a charitable service as a tribute to fight fighters and EMS. Choose one dear to the heart of the New York victims and/or survivors or of your local firefighters and EMS.
FLY the flag at half-staff. You may want to make it a community commemoration by lowering it at 8:46a.m.
GENERATE and implement a commemorative ceremonial 9/11 plan that includes a variety of activities.
HOST a 5K Run/Walk and Community Day (Invite firefighters, EMS, police officers, physicians, nurses, military personnel and other local heroes).
INTERVIEW and compile the responses, stories, and/or reflections of those who remember where they were, what they were doing, what they were wearing, and/or their reactions to 9/11.
JUBILATE the remembrance of 9/11 with a walk or parade. If each house has a display, each classroom door is decorated, each hall is designed to be commemorative a walk to view the exhibits will allow all to share their way of remembering and commemorating the event, its victims, heroes, and survivors.
KEEP remembrance of 9/11, service learning and commemoration of the sacrifices and event year-long.
LEARN THROUGH SERVICE
Food Drive Flyer/Poster Idea for 9/11 
Food for Drive Idea for 9/11
“Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.”
—President Obama in a 2011 radio address
- Animal rescue
- Arrange a visit to a senior citizen center and join in their activities
- Arrange a visit to a veterans’’ center and spend time with veterans or join an existing even
- Beautify a local park or immunity space
- Book Drive
- Clothing Drive
- Collect school supplies and deliver them to a local school
- Food drive for a soup kitchen, shelter, food pantry or other organization who assist with the feeding of people in need
- Habitat for Humanity
- Help a family winter-proof their house
- Neighborhood cleanups
- Plant trees or bulbs
- Serve a meal to a local fire station
- Sign up to be a mentor or tutor
- Sign up to serve meals to the hungry
- Sponsor a shoe box project donate to a shelter or veterans center
- Volunteer at a Lemonade Stand benefiting Alex’s Lemonade Stand (childhood cinder research)
- Work with a local food bank or pantry to collect donations
- Work with your local fire department to install smoke alarms
- Work with your neighbors to create or improve upon your community’s emergency preparedness plan
MEMORIALIZE the events of 9/11 by creating an expression piece (i.e.: story, drawing, sculpture, replica, poem, song, video, speech, presentation, mural, letter, marquee saying, photo, poster, painting, prose, haka, etc.) or by posting a tribute on social media or on a website.
NOTIFY the media and the Memorial Registry (https://registries.911memorial.org/#/memorials) of any planned commemorative, remembrance or service events and activities.
OBSERVE a moment of silence at any or all of the key times marked by the events of September 11.
PROCLAIM September 11 as Patriot Day and/or National Day of Service and Remembrance at the local level with Mayor, Commissioners, Board of Education or another group.
QUELL hatred and violence by being kind; by performing random acts of kindness daily; by learning to not only tolerate, but also to understand, appreciate and respect diversity; and by being a bucket filler, not a bucket dipper.
READ and discuss one or all of the following books to be featured in future literarilymyway.com posts.
Twin Towers Before 9/11 
Rescue During 9/11 Evacuation 
True Story of a Tribute After 9/11 tragedy
- The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, by Mordicai Gerstein
- Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman
- September Roses by Jeanette Winters
SPEAK aloud the names of the men, women and children who perished as a result of the attack.
TOLL Bells at 8:46 and/or any of the times marking key 9/11 moments.
UTILIZE the Memorials Registry (https://registries.911memorial.org/#/memorials) to locate memorials and commemorations that are taking place around the world and register your commemoration efforts.
VISIT in THE 9/11 Memorial and the National September 11 Memorial Museum.
WAGE a commemorative campaign of commemoration, service learning, and/or remembrance.
eXEMPLIFY the spirit of unity and service by volunteering and by sharing how you served and/or provide knowledge related to volunteering, or better yet invite someone to join you in serving and/or create an opportunity to serve (i.e. book drive clothing drive, food drive, shoe drive, etc.).
YOU make a difference to helping others remember the impact of the attacks, the power of unity, and the ability to serve the community.
ZERO in on a commemorative or service theme.
Remembering 9/11 Victims
“No Day Shall Erase You from the Memory of Time.”
-Virgil
Jean,
This is really well thought out and full of SO many great ideas! I can see using several of your suggestions in my class. I also want to get a copy of the books you mentioned, especially the first two, for my own reading.
This blog really make me think of ways that we can honor those who lost their lives and those who tried to help. I appreciate your opening my mind to new ideas and thoughts.
Thanks!
Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to read the post and for your comments. It is my honor to be able to contribute to the remembrance of those who were lost and to those who continue to struggle as a result of the attacks, as well as those who continue to promote the spirit of unity. It is a small, but sincere way that I can pay tribute. Please let me know when you use any of the ideas and please feel free to share them.
Thank you for compiling such a thoughtful and actionable list for us to memorialize 9/11. As a New Yorker, I still struggle with anger and bitterness in my heart for what this attack personally did to our lives and communities. With the people suffering and dying from cancer 18 years later, this attack is never-ending. Doing something positive to commemorate it seems the only way to ease the horror of it all. Thank you!
Thank you for your response. It means a lot to me, especially with you being a New Yorker, living with the struggles. I understand the anger and bitterness in the hearts of millions. I also am angered and saddened by those still suffering and dying 18 years later. The impact of this horrific event is what inspired me to write the blog. I can’t change the event, the happenings or the personal impact on the lives and communities; I can however attempt to keep the spirit of unity alive, as well as the memories of those most affected at the forefront of our memories. All are always present in my heart, thoughts, and prayers.
Lovely tribute I remember that day Cleary. Our company sent us home early and it was so early driving home. That feeling that day will be remembered always.
Thank you for acknowledging my tribute. I don’t think we will ever forget that day, at least I pray we don’t. Although I wish it had never happened, I know that to keep history from repeating itself, we must remember the impact it has made on our lives, and especially on those of you who were directly affected. The losses experienced and the continued struggles have to remain on the forevermore be in our memories and thoughts.
Thank you for putting together such a wonderful tribute to remember the lives lost and those affected on 9/11. My husband was serving in the 82nd Airborne Division the day of the attacks and was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I will never forget his first phone call to me that September morning. It means a lot to see the events of that day are not forgotten and are being taught to the next generation.
Thank you for your comments and your husband for his service. I aspire to help eradicate some of hate and evilness with love and service. I believe it is up to all of us to leave a legacy of remembering the events, of service, of inspiring unity and to teaching the next generation. I aspire to keep the events in the forefront in order to deter a repeat. It is important to those who were lost, those who continue to struggle as a result of the event and of those whose peace, emotions and feeling of safety will never be the same. This blog was just my small way of paying tribute to those most affected. I appreciate your comments and your husbands service. Thank you.
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Thank you. I have been blogging for a little over a year with a 5 month break in there. I am still learning and have much more to learn. Regardless, I appreciae your comments about the layout, look and content,
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So many great ideas. Your post reminded me of that day in 2001. It was a moment that changed my life and led to twenty years of working with my dogs in search and rescue on disasters and searching for the missing and the dead.
Thank you and thanks to your dogs for all rendered service. The task you have taken on is unfortunately a necessary act. It is because of you and your dogs that we can sometimes turn a bitter and scary event into a celebratory one. I hope that throught this small tribute, I hope to keep the memory alive and never forgotten. Thank you!
I’m so glad you posted this. Our country has lost the unity we had when this happened and I wish we never would’ve lost that camaraderie and sense of purpose. This is a great tribute with some excellent ways to commemorate the tragedy. I remember visiting the 9/11 memorial during a trip to NYC and even though I didn’t have a connection to anyone who lost their life that day, it was such a moving experience. There is a fantastical aura and energy you can physically feel while you are there at ground zero. It’s definitely a place everyone should visit.
Thank you. Yes, the unfortunate events of recent days as related to unity has put a damper on all the progress made. Part of what has been inspiring to me from that tragic day is the unity and the desire to be there to help in any way possible. Although I grew up in Boston, I never got to see the Twin Towers and have yet to visit the 9/11 Memorial, but it is on my bucket list. I believe that remembering will help us to better deal with the present and hopefully the future. Thank you for checking ou the post.
Originally from NY I am sadden about this years NY not remembering 9-11. But will always be in our mind and prayers. We wish all the luck and prayers
Thank you for taking the time to check out my post. I empathize with you and your sadness in the circumstances in our world that has led to the decision to not commemorate as a city a state. I believe through all of our thoughts, prayers and own commemorations, honor and remembrance will be strong. I challenge all to share their celebrations so that the honor and remembrance lives on. Thank you for your comment.
This is great info to both remember and to give really interesting ideas. I also remember that I had taken my children to school and came home to do a workout. When I turned on the TV to access the video I saw the horrific sights. I have a son who lives in the city now and all kinds of new worries.
Thank you for your comment. I too remember when I learned of the attacks. I was an Asst. Principal at a high school and was in my office disciplining a student. When I came out of my office the whole front office staff was as quiet as I had ever scene and watching the television with shock on their face. I looked, but didn’t truly understand what was going on til I arrived home. I understand the worries of a parent. My son has moved to Atlanta and with all the unrest, I have new gray hairs.
I teach in a school in a NYC suburb. We read “The Man Who Walked Between the Towers” each year. While my students were not yet born in 2001, they yearn to understand what happened that day. This book points back to a happier time at WTC, with a poignant reminder at the end that the Towers are no longer there. Thank you for recommending the other two books. I will have to check those out as well.
Thank you for sharing with us. “The Man Who Walked Between the Towers” was always one of my Principal’s Books of the Month when I was an administrator. What grade do you teach. I have a few more books that are on my Instagram post and will have about 20-25 additional in my upcoming post. For now, you may want to also check out “Sirius, the Hero Dog of 9-11” and “The Survivor Tree”. Thank you for helping our new generation learn, understand and keep memories alive. Hopefully some of the activities also resonate with you and your students! Have a wonderful and safe year!
Hi,
I was there that awful today 22 years ago and lost a dear friend and many colleagues. I worked in 1 North End Ave which has since been given a new address but I was a trader on the floor of one of the commodities exchange’s located in that building. My good friend and other friends worked for Carr Futures and they had their monthly meetings I think on the 96th floor of one of the towers. Each September 11th, I keep the TV off, don’t go near the computer and spend the day in quiet reflection.
The third to last photo that you have shows the towers with some of the victims. It’s very powerful and I’m trying to see where I can get a copy so I can hang it in my home office. If you send back your email, I will send to you something I wrote for my daughter’s school about my experience that day and it includes numerous photos.
Thank you.
Alan
Hi Alan, I am so sad to hear that you had to personally experience such a tragic event. It is hard enough to have watched it, to know about it and to pray for those who were there as victims, witnesses, and heroes…all which in reality were victims. I send my heartfelt condolences of your losses. I know that although 22 years ago, each year it is like reopening a wound that will never close. I definitely understand you keeping the tv and computer (and probably phone) off and am glad you spend the day in quiet reflection. I wasn’t there and didn’t not lose personal friends on that horrific day, but I too have to turn the broadcasts (except when they call out the names). My reflection is usually one of service, reading, writing, or special ceremonies.
Have you tried Google Lens or Search for an image to locate the photo you are interesting in acquiring? I agree, it is so, so very powerful. My email is literarilymyway@gmail.co. I would love to have a copy of what you wrote and shared. Thank you for taking the time to check out my post, even more so for commenting and definitely for sharing your experiences and reflections with me. I am honored.
Jean