As I listened to my mom trying to explain the significance of September 11, 2001 to my seven year old sister this morning over breakfast, it dawned on me that neither she nor my eleven year old brother were alive yet when it happened. They would never fully recognize that day in the same sense that older generations would. I began to wonder how we as Americans are supposed to truly portray the tragedy of this attack against our great nation to people born in the years that followed.

Do we begin to define the history of our connections and conflicts with Al-Qaeda and terrorist organizations? Do we highlight the timeline of the course of events as planes crashed into The World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the field in Pennsylvania? Do we show statistical values to illustrate the number of innocent lives lost that day? Do we teach about US actions and the war that has followed, which has become a norm in so many of their young lives? How do we wholly describe on the magnitude of 9/11?

As my mind continued to wander, I realized that the difficulty does not lie in explaining the historical occurrences that they are taught in school, but rather the extreme emotions that poured out of our country as the clear, blue sky became clouded with black smoke and ash. 

How do we explain the shock, disbelief, anger, fear, and sadness that swept our nation as we watched the first hijacked plane crash into the North Tower? How do we convey the strong pride and patriotism we felt towards those brave enough to fight against the terrorists on Flight 93, who gave their own lives in order to protect our country? How do we describe the strong sense of unity our nation felt, regardless of race, gender, and political affiliation? How do we explain the humility, respect, and gratitude felt towards the multiple firefighters and police officers who woke up, went to work that morning, and never returned home to their loved ones? How do we demonstrate just how incredibly large, chaotic, and devastating this day was in our history?

Though these children will learn of the events and happenings of September 11, 2001, and though they too may feel pride and patriotism as another anniversary passes, there is an emotional gap in their understanding of this event. It is no fault of their own, but as members of society who did experience the day that the world stopped turning, it is our responsibility to better explain it to them. As I watched my wide eyed sister listen to my mom speak while holding back tears, I was overcome with chills remembering this day in our history, and felt so incredibly respectful, grateful, proud, and reverent of the heroes and Americans who lost their lives thirteen years ago and those who continue to fight for and protect our great nation. God bless these United States of America.