Essay dated January 10, 2002, by James Stephenson of Bridgeport,
junior at Central High School
This letter was part of an essay contest, prompted the State Legislature,
to declare September 11 a Day of Remembrance.
On September 11th 2001 American suffered one
of its most devastating attacks ever. Soon after you did not see anyone
without his or her American flag or hear someone saying God Bless America.
But then slowly the patriotism slowly died down. Some do not even realize
that ground zero is still being worked on as we speak. Then before we
knew it patriotism became a thing of the past. But we can never forget
such a day, the men that died, the individuals that we are so proud
of, and the honor of our country. Therefore I suggest we make September
11th an official holiday in Connecticut.
I choose to write about September 11th because
I wanted to do something right. When I look at what happened I just
want to go fight the war myself, but I am too young. So, by at least
putting this idea out in the open I can feel like I did something in
the end.
Making this an official holiday does not mean
we have to get a day out of school. Instead of cramming algebraic equations
in our heads we could take maybe ten minutes out of a class and do something
that will help us remember this unforgettable day. For example we can
start and end the day in silence, then go around the classroom and discuss
what we remember and how we feel about what happened. And to the young
ones who do not know what happened, have their teacher, parent or guardian
explain to them what occurred and why we do this on this day. We must
also stress that we are still the strongest and freest country we will
ever see. We will call this day Remembrance Day.
If you are working on this day, everyone on the
job should stop working for five minutes. What these people can do since
they have to get back to work is maybe face the flag and say the (P)pledge
of (A)allegiance keying in on the last phrase “with freedom and
justice for all.” After that just a moment of silence and then
back to work.
The whole idea of this day is to remember the
men and women who died on this day. Remembering the children who aren’t
able to see their father(s) or mother(s) or both any longer, brothers
and sisters, husbands and wives, and all others who lost friends and
family. Let us remember how bless(ed) we are to be alive, well, and
free something I can say we all take for granted.
I am not asking for anything big just let us
remember. We do not have to make it a holiday, but rather a day of remembrance.
Ask someone to do something special that they normally would not do.
Who knows maybe by Connecticut doing this that (the) rest of the nation
may want to catch on and do it as well. Thank you for your time, and
have a blessed day.
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From Connecticut Public Act No. 02-126
The Governor shall proclaim September eleventh
of each year as [911 Day, which day shall increase the
public's awareness of the emergency telephone number and shall be
observed in the schools and in other ways as indicated in such proclamation
or letter] Remembrance Day,
in memory of those who lost their lives or suffered injuries in the
terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and in honor of the service,
sacrifice and contributions of the firefighters, police officers and
other personnel who responded to such attacks. Suitable exercises
shall be held in the State Capitol and elsewhere as the Governor designates
for the observance of the day.
Approved June 7, 2002 and signed by Governor John G. Rowland
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