On September 11, 2001, America changed forever. After a catastrophic terrorist attack on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, citizens of the United States found strength through unity. Today, 9/11 is known as a day of remembrance; we honor the lives lost in the attack, from citizens to first responders, as well as show support to the many families that were impacted by the attacks. To commemorate 9/11, Principal Peter Gaffney (a.k.a. Papa Gaff) asked all members of Bear Nation to wear red, white, and blue.

For our Bear Nation students, 9/11 is a historic event, not a memory, as this cohort was born roughly between 2007-2010. However, the resounding impact of the first major foreign attack on U.S. soil since Pearl Harbor echoes with Gen Z. When asked what 9/11 means to her, senior Kaitlyn Ersch, whose father is an Orange County firefighter, stated,  “it makes me grateful that I have family members that are willing to put their life in danger to help save thousands of others, just like the first responders on 9/11.” For Millennial biology teacher Amanda Picton, 9/11 is a vivid memory. Picton told The Bear Truth, “I was four years old, but I still remember. I was on my way to the airport to take my mom on a business trip. The plane of course never took off.” When asked about her thoughts on 9/11’s lasting impact, she said “it’s a day that bonded the U.S. like nothing else has been able to. Despite the tragedy, we were able to come together as a nation.”

On this day, and every day, remember the fallen Americans–those who lost their lives in the attack, and those who lost their lives in the heroic effort to save others.