Mrs R's Place--September 11 Remembrance


On the first anniversary of September 11, I was in San Francisco, California. We drove by one downtown park that had rows and rows and rows of small flags stuck in the ground in a memorial to those lost on September 11. Each flag represented a person and the country the person was from. Mostly I could see American flags, but interspersed throughout the rows of flags could also be seen flags from many other countries.  Even the city bus stops had marquees that said something like "We remember the heros and victims of September 11." We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge on September 10 and saw armed and uniformed soldiers in a hummer as well as security cameras all along the bridge. A helicopter flew over the area throughout the day.

Wednesday afternoon we stopped at the Grace Cathedral, in downtown San Francisco. This Catholic church, built with contemporary architecture, was holding special services for September 11. The locals call the cathedral the "washing machine paddle." Can you see why?

Grace Cathedral

As we walked in the front doors to the cathedral we entered a spacious auditorium, simply furnished and full of pews. Music was playing all afternoon as part of a full day's schedule of 9-11 memorial events. Worshipers or meditators sat sporadically throughout the auditorium in the pews. You could look straight up in the auditorium and see a very high ceiling in the same shape as you can see in the outside picture above. Hanging down was a beautiful crystal hanging sculpture and to the side was a high island of organ pipes which reminds me of the description of the New Jerusalem.  Above the pipes was a stained glass window.

Cathedral sculpture
cathedral auditorium cathedral pipe organ and window

In the back of the auditorium was a sculpture depicting scenes from Jesus' life.

cathedral sculpture

We were invited to walk through the downstairs, where we found a special art exhibit in memory of September 11. The art work was done by school children, many from 4th-6th grades. This may give you some ideas for your September 11 project.

In the center of the room was a giant American flag made from artwork and written paragraphs about September 11. Lying on the floor in front of it was a large paper chain in the shape of a heart with several "A" essays lying inside it. Columns of red, white, and blue balloons stood on each side.

balloons Flag collage balloons

Here's a close-up of the flag pictured above:

flag closeup


Here are some of the projects prepared by 4th-6th grade classes:


exhibit mosaic airplane   exhibit up close
exhibit closeup exhibit  

An especially nice picture was shown by itself. A 12-year old girl made this:

12-year old girls picture

Probably one of the most impressive exhibit was this collage, full of symbolism. What symbols do you see in it?

twin towers

Do you see the 9-11 in the collage?

These exhibits may give you some ideas for your 9-11 project that is due on Monday. Even if you've written your essay, feel free to do more for extra credit.

Here are the paragraphs, essays, and poems that have come in from my students:
Chris Mathis
Grade 9
 

    September 11, 2001. "A date that will live in infamy," as it was said about Pearl Harbor, it also could be said about September 11. In both instances, the United States was deliberatly attacked, only, not by Japan this time, no it was Afghanistan. The least expected, and one of the best countries to describe a third world. How could such a plan be even imagined, let alone carried out. The deliberate planning of a complete anialation of millions of dollars worth of government property, and the killing of thousands of innocent citizens, certainly is a doing that must not go unpunished, but by who?
    On one hand, you've got the shall we say "hicks," who don't really care to go dig for details, they just say, "let's send a couple B-17's ore ther and nuck 'em all!" Very logical and to the point, but effective? No. Yes, it would eliminate all or most of the terrorists, but what kind of a reputation would that put on our country? I can see it in the headlines,

                "America responds to terrorist attacks, but with more violence then the terrorists themselves."

    Then you've got the logical people, who are probably a bit too logical, and they think we should plan this big ellaborite attack, where we just fly in one night, wip them all out with ground forces, hop back on the Apaches, and scramble, before anyone finds out. That's educated stupidity. What you do, is just try to take care of terrorism by grouping up with other countries, and then wait till judgement day, and let God take care of it. Thats the most effective in my mind, granted, because of what they did to us, we want to get revenge. It's understandable. That's human nature. But sometimes, its better for divine forces to take care of the problem, then the Navy Seals.

Wayne Pelletier
Grade 9
September 11, Special Assignment

            I think that the attacks on the United States by the terrorist groups were horrific.  It was one of the cruelest things that they could have done.  At least when we attack another country, we don’t slaughter 5,000 plus civilians.  I completely agree with the actions of the United States following September 11.  Attacking terrorist groups in Afghanistan was one of the best things we have ever done.  A strategic assault on the terrorists is just what we needed to do. Cornering thousands of people and waiting until Jesus comes back is something that will not work, action must be taken.  I also agree with the President’s plan to attack Iraq.  Cutting off terrorists’ supply of money and guns is key to stopping them from attacking us again.  I not only believe in the action that is being taken now, but the future attacks that we perform.

Annie Broderick
Grade 6

Remembering Sept. 11

The terrorists hijacked 4 jets and used them as weapons.  This killed more than 3,000 people.  I think it was very mean for those terrorist to kill all those people.  :(   At least we have one thing to look forward to and that is God and heaven.