As an infant, just over eight months old, when two planes flying at a speed of over 800 mph crashed directly into the Twin Towers, I did not understand what was going on. I was clueless of the event until the date came back around in second grade. My mother was late getting me to school because of the morning news streaming a tribute.

I vividly recall watching CNN broadcast a video of remembrance to honor America’s fallen loved ones as a second grader. However, nine years later, I have yet to come across a teacher actually teach the tragic event in depth.

It’s simple: U.S. schools should recognize the event out of respect. Over 2,000 people died, and it could have been anyone.

“It was a significant catastrophe that affected all Americans as well as people in other countries, and children should be taught to honor and memorialize the fallen,” my father explained to me.

On Sept. 11, 2017, 16 years after the event, my school as a whole showed little gesture in remembering the event.

A person of any age or background can learn a lot from what happened. The tragedy brought Americans together, forced the American people to address the war on terror and proved that we are at our best when times are rough.

“Our country is strong,” former-president George W. Bush said in a speech later given that night. “Our country saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America- with the daring of our rescuing workers (and) with strangers and neighbors who came to help in any way they could.”

After the attack, America’s presence in the Middle East increased with a goal of bringing justice to the al-Qaeda. Due to our presence, the U.S. War in Afghanistan then arose from there.

To others my age, 9/11 is basically part of our history. My generation is growing up in the time of recovery.

There are families who still grieve the passing of their loved ones and won’t just stop because time passed. There is a famous video on YouTube of a young girl talking to her father, who passed away, as if he was still with her, and the song “We’re in heaven” plays in the background.

The link to the video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcMpxqt9qd8.

The video consists of the young girl giving updates to her dad throughout her life from when she was a small child to a young adult. At the end of the video, she says “Can you see me?” and then the video goes on to replay her saying “I miss you, Daddy,” throughout the years.

Not remembering the catastrophic events that took place on Sept. 11 is extremely disrespectful to people with direct relation to victims, like this young lady who lost her father.

The event should not only be taught as history, but also as a lesson of respect.

Simply standing for a moment of silence at the time of the initial tower’s destruction, 9:03 a.m., is a huge gesture of respect. However, my school did not. We should be grateful for what we have and take out a small portion of our time to stand for those who no longer can.

Some teachers may oppose addressing the tragedy out of fear of controversy due to conspiracy theories, lack of knowledge or lack of ideas to approach the subject.

There is photographic, video and audio proof of the whole crash taking place from seconds before to seconds after. The facts are there. All it takes is some research and lecturing to show youth, like myself, the importance of how the attack changed America.

The topic may be a very emotional subject for some teachers to inform younger kids of, but that makes every bit more beneficial.

It doesn’t matter if the same content is being touched on every year. That is the point of remembering the event. Everyone should have knowledge of this terrorist attack on America because of the major impact it left, and what better place to learn than at school?

Americans often say “Never forget (9/11),” but it seems as though that is just what we have done.