By Johanna Fleischman and Elvis Wong

Rebecca Gehlen, 12
“I was late to school and I stayed at home. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t going to school, and I remember my mom saying, ‘Shut up, you are watching history.’ I was in third grade. I didn’t understand what was happening, except that I knew that ‘Later on this is going to come up again.’ 9/11 is the only thing I remember from third grade, even after the concussion that I had.
After Osama bin Laden’s death, I didn’t really pay attention to the public reaction in New York. The day before the news-cast, my boyfriend’s grandfather predicted how the media would portray the event. Ever since then I have stayed away from the news.
The people in the Middle East must have known that something peculiar, strange, or suspicious was going on.”

Andrew Wolocatiuk, 12
“On 9/11 I woke up; my parents ran into my room and told me to look at the TV. I saw the twin towers fall.
I think we should have captured Osama bin Laden instead of killing him, and I think they should release photos.
The celebrations in New York were probably a little much, but people were excited. The guy that was responsible for 9/11 was dead, so I’m sure they were happy.”

Jack Fausone, 11
“I was in third grade and at school we talked about 9/11 all day. It was really emotional, because my step-aunt worked in one of the towers, but she was late to work. That was the reason she wasn’t there. My mom and dad were scared at first.
I was very happy about Osama bin Laden’s death. My mom wasn’t home, but my dad and I were almost celebrating. Obama’s speech put the whole thing in perspective.
I think the celebrations on the East Coast were respectable because after 9/11 we were in mourning. Not that the celebrations matched up to the mourning.
We do not need to publicize the photos. His country should make that choice.”