from the archives:  September 18, 2001

On Wednesday, September 12, 2001,  Ms. Hall gave her sixth grade Social Studies students the assignment to pretend to be the President of the United States and write a letter to America.

It was a brilliant assignment from this teacher – a wonderful way to help these eleven year olds (and their parents) think about, talk about and attempt to understand the events of the previous day and what they meant to us – as individuals, as families and as a country.

Here is the letter my son wrote.

Dear America,

As you have, I have been watching the news feeling so sad and so angry.

Much has been said of bombing them right back.  However, we do not want to provoke the Afghanistan people to bounce back and hit us.  As well, we do not want to start a war between the US haters and us.  However, we would win, it would come with loss of both our barracks as well as theirs.

Right now we just need to bump up security in all places, especially in airports as well as in our very own households.  This is not to make you scared, but to make you aware and ready.

Now we also have to mourn for the victims, their families and friends.

A nation so great, humbleness can do nothing in this case because greatness shows on the outside.  We will continue to be strong and loyal to our country.

We must continue life because life can’t go on without closure and the only way to have closure for this tragedy is to continue while remembering.

Ryan Watts
President of the United States of America
September 12, 2001

I share this letter as a way of honoring  the victims of this tragedy and their loved ones.

And as a way of thanking all who have helped the survivors cope and continue.

Whether they be firefighters on the scene that day,

or caregivers who have nursed survivors back to health,

or teachers of children who witnessed the horror from far away.

We will not forget all who have helped us to continue while remembering.

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