Commentary: Memories and reflections of 9/11
In September 2001, I began my first year as the dean of Douglass College. Just as classes were getting underway, tragedy struck when planes collided with the World Trade Center on September 11th.
The response from students, staff, and faculty was one of shock and disbelief, but it also included feelings of fear, concern, and a deep sense of loss and instability.
The situation was profoundly personal for many. A number of my students were interning at the World Trade Center, and we were unsure of their safety. Several students and staff members had parents employed there. Some faculty members had children nearby, including in the towers. Everyone was anxiously trying to locate their loved ones.
Some received positive updates, while others faced unfortunate news. One student had a mother who worked as a flight attendant on the United Airlines flight that crashed in Pennsylvania.
The interns, for various reasons, postponed their arrival, which ultimately spared them from harm. Meanwhile, one student made her way to the location with her search-and-rescue dog, eager to assist in any way she could.
I welcomed anyone into the dean's house who wanted companionship, creating a safe haven away from their usual surroundings. I believe the young women were looking for warmth, safety, and a sense of belonging.
I could feel our community growing more united. It became clear that our mandatory first-year course, Shaping A Life, gained a unique significance from that moment forward.
I still recall a short visit back to Morristown where I went with a friend to eat at Pamir, the Afghan place on South Street. While we were there, we noticed some American flags displayed in the windows that hadn’t been there on previous visits.
People gathered inside the restaurant, placing their dinner orders and visibly showing their support for the local owners. It was clear they were there to back them up, possibly in anticipation of facing harassment or boycotts.
Instead, there was a sense of kindness — expressions of love and esteem for these fellow Americans, our neighbors. The flags were unnecessary, but the sentiment was definitely appreciated.
The owner treated everyone to some dessert and expressed gratitude.
The strong sense of community at Douglass, which also appeared in Morristown, reminds me that in our town, attempts to create division often end up bringing people closer together. I find myself reflecting on this as the anniversary of 9/11 approaches each year.
As we witness the nation that united during that tragic day starting to fracture, let's not forget that what tyranny attempted to extinguish remained resilient. Do we really want to allow the internal forces of destruction to achieve what our adversaries could not?
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Linda Stamato is part of the nonprofit organization Corporation for New Jersey Local Media. Additionally, she is a commissioner on the Morristown Parking Authority and a trustee of the Morristown and Morris Township Library Foundation. She also holds the position of Co-Director at the Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, located within the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, where she is also recognized as a Faculty Fellow.
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