9/11 remembered

I was in Buffalo, NY 5 years ago. Teaching. I heard about the attacks when a colleague came by and told me. I listened on NPR as the story unfolded.

School was cancelled but not before a fire drill occurred. It had been scheduled weeks before. It really unsettled people because they had no idea whether it was related to the attacks or not (even though Buffalo is 460 miles from NYC.)

People said they lost their innocence. I didn't. I was sad and horrified-- but to think the US was immune from this kind of attack was naive in my estimation.

I remember going home that day and not wanting to watch TV or do much of anything. I didn't watch much TV because it was evidence of a recurring nightmare on American soil. I also had the luck that I did not have family or friends in NYC or on Flight 93. My students weren't so lucky. We spent time deconstructing the attack in class somewhat. I remember students who were in the National Guard having to leave class and be absent for a period of time.

I am no longer in New York. But the day sticks with me.