Goodrell Joins Nation in Remembering 9/11
Coming off the freeway this morning en route to Goodrell Middle School the sun was rising as unstoppably as a powerful memory. The gigantic American flag at the Perkins on East Euclid drooped at half-staff liked a bowed head and birds lined the wires along the street like worshipers in pews, appearing almost capable of solemnity.
On the school’s front lawn a crowd of kids and teachers was already gathered around the flagpole by 7:00 AM. On occasions when it’s warranted Goodrell holds “Meet Me at the Pole” events. This morning’s was a brief but reverent ceremony to honor and commemorate the lives lost on September 11, 2001 when America was attacked by terrorists. At Goodrell, today is the Day of Remembrance.
Jackie White was there to bear witness to the horrible events of that day from her perspective as the wife of a soldier who happened to be serving at the Pentagon. Her husband, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Wes White, since retired, wasn’t among the casualties, but Jackie didn’t know that for several agonizing hours during which time her husband was incommunicado.
She recalled how she heard something that morning about an accident at the World Trade Center in New York City but it was at the periphery of her attention. She was busy getting her then small kids ready for school. Later when she realized that what was unfolding was no accident and that it had spread to include the Pentagon the longest wait of her life began.
Her audience today included 6th graders, many of whom were born in 2001.
“My mom says she was pregnant with me when 9/11 happened,” murmured one new middle schooler, lugging his backpack and clarinet case up the sidewalk to join the group. Right alongside him was a buddy who said that his great-grandmother was killed in the attacks.
The observance was arranged by Goodrell Healthy Choices teacher John Walling whose own wife was home on maternity leave with their daughter 12 years ago today.
White’s voice wavered when she recounted how her own daughter, a 2nd grader at the time and a college student now, would load her backpack full of supplies from the family’s first aid kit just to go out and play in the yard in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“It wasn’t religion that was behind those hijackers,” she said. “It was hate – pure and simple. Don’t ever let hate into Goodrell or into your lives for any reason.”
When she concluded her remarks people in the crowd took turns naming loved ones they wanted to honor. And then it was time to go inside and get back to normal routines, a little more mindful of what a luxury they are.
