INDIANAPOLIS – It’s been 16 years since the attacks of September 11, and Hoosiers who witnessed the tragedy first hand, to students who only have heard stories took time to honor those who lost their lives.
Indianapolis firefighter Gregg Hess, who was part of the Task Force One team that traveled to assist at Ground Zero less than 24 hours after the attack, recalled the details of his experience to students at Brownsburg High School Monday morning.
“It just always rekindles some emotions and some memories... and today at 4 a.m., I don’t know why, but I just sat up in bed and couldn't go back to sleep,” said Hess.
He said being in New York following the event didn’t truly impact him and his other seven team members until they got 30 miles outside of New York.
“We saw the smoke from the towers, and we had communications between all the task force vehicles and they said they just called for 50,000 body bags. Then the enormity of it hit,” he said.
Students from Beech Grove High School, many who were just a year old when the attacks took place, also learned details of the 9/11 events.
“It makes me feel kind of anxious, and fearful,” said senior Elizabeth Pich. “I can feel the terror they were living in almost even though I know I can't fully.”
Troy Edwards, government and US History teacher, said the day served as a history lesson for his students.
“They don't go looking for it, so it needs to come to them,” said Edwards. “If I have to bring it to them, I bring it to them.”
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