How the younger generation remembers 9/11
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — September 11th, 2001, 24 years ago, a day that forever changed this country and the lives of so many.
On this anniversary, it’s important to remember that around 30% of Americans were born after 2001, meaning they have no personal memory of the terror attacks.
To see how younger generations connect to 9/11, we visited a UNCW communications class to hear their perspectives.
21-year-old UNCW student Christina Laieta, from New York, says 9/11 holds a special meaning for her. Her stepfather, a former NYPD officer, was on scene.
“I have more of an emotional connection, or just more knowledge about the event because I do know people who were there and had to respond to it,” said Laieta.
Laieta says he shared very little with her growing up because of the trauma.
“You know, it’s like such a traumatizing event and having to, you know, rehash that can be super, you know, super emotional but I do know that my stepdad has told me that he remembers just like seeing people jump out of buildings,” said Laieta.
22-year-old Brooke Hartman also has a connection, her family friend and neighbor was working at the Pentagon when it got hit.
“He managed to get out, but he went back in and saved three more people,” said Hartman.
Hartman didn’t realize the impact of his heroism until years later, when she was in high school and learned more about him in the most unexpected way.
“In high school, we were watching a documentary on 9-11, and I heard a familiar voice, and I looked up at the screen and it was him, and I was like ‘what! I didn’t even know that’ and he had been honored at many ceremonies, and he’s been on the news for what he did, and he’s gotten plenty of awards.”
For both students, those personal connections give a deeper meaning and emphasizes the importance of remembering 9/11.
Part of the 9/11 memorial museum’s mission in New York City, is to educate future generations about 9/11.
They’ve developed a guide for talking with kids about terrorism and the 2001 attacks.
https://www.911memorial.org/connect/blog/how-talk-kids-about-911
