Although a decade and a half has passed, the events of September 11, 2001 continue to have a lasting impact on the lives of Americans, both the generations that experienced it and the ones that weren’t even born yet.

Like the bombing of Pearl Harbor for the “greatest generation” and the assassination of JFK for the “baby boom” generation, every American will remember exactly where they were on the day of the attacks on the Pentagon and the Twin Towers.  Nearly 3,000 died in what has been considered the worst terror attack in American history.

“I was a sophomore in high school and had Algebra class when the attacks happened. They said we should turn on the TV’s , although we never used them,” says Dawn Kumar, now a chemistry teacher at WHHS.

Another WHHS English Teacher Toni Kiernan, was already teaching at the time  and was on break in the teacher lounge listening to music when the announcement came over the radio.

“I remember just trying to keep the kids calm,” Kiernan said. “I remember people thinking that there were more planes in the sky that were going to crash. It was frightening.”

For many, life is different now; some are afraid of another attack. Others encounter feelings of anger and desolation. But a new sense of pride and patriotism was instilled in everyone.
“We hung the American flag over our front door, where it stayed for newly two years,” says Crystal Carrafiello, a financial services professional and a WHHS mom who worked in the shadow of the World Trade Centers for a decade and walked away that day. She talks about how her younger brother served during the following war in Iraq, and how her husband Michael became a first responder with the Wayne First Aid Squad.

Other people have been affected to a much less degree, from the way we fly to how we feel in public. Security regulations became more stringent, people grew to become more suspicious and aware of their surroundings. Prior to the attack, boarding was one of the easiest things to do. Fear and panic not only surround going to airports, but attending gatherings or events as well.

“Since that day, you think twice before you go to a huge public event because you’re afraid that something might happen,” says Beverly Sullivan, guidance secretary, who was getting ready for work when she heard about the plane crashes. Individuals were confronted with new feelings of intimidation and suspicion.

In a social perspective, the citizens of America became united. The hate towards each other was lifted and placed on the common enemy. National news was put on pause and the focus was turned to defeating the islamic terrorist group.  All in all, the events of 9/11 affect society, the way we think and the way we handle things.