September 11 as a Distant Memory Posted on November 23, 2013September 30, 2014 by Srijan Sen Photo by Srijan Sen For many students at University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, 9/11 has become a distant memory of a “terrible tragedy” that happened when they were young. William Matthews, a UWM senior, has trouble recollecting exactly how he felt when planes went into the twin towers in New York. He sat on the chair with a grim look on his face and said, “To be honest with you, I cannot remember much.” While some students remember learning about 9/11 in their classrooms, others were sent home where they discovered what happened for the first time. William remembered being sent home without being told why. “It was a normal day in elementary school,” Matthews said, looking down at the floor. “We were sent home early without any reason. I turned on the television when I got home. It looked like something you only see in movies.” For most students 9/11 is something they saw on television, heard from friends and family — and now something that they read in a history book. UWM student Clair Sprenger recalled her mother being on an airplane trip at the time. Clair — who is majoring in political science — says her parents shielded her, and her younger brother from the television coverage. “We found out about it at school.” Sprenger said. “I remember writing a patriotic letter and making American flags in class during the following week.” Although life in the United States changed dramatically after 9/11, the impact was felt all over the world. Lauren Forester, a UWM sophomore, was living in England at the time. She remembered being confused while watching 9/11 unfold on television. “I couldn’t believe a couple of planes could make that happen. I guess it didn’t affect me as dramatically as it affected American kids.” Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)