Never Forget

Teacher Tara Krohn will always remember September 11, 2001. On that cloudless morning, she stood in front of fourth-graders at Woolridge Elementary School in Virginia and learned the terrible news.

Two planes flown by terrorists (people who use violence to spread fear) crashed into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in New York City. Another plane hit the Pentagon, the U.S. military headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. A fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Passengers on that flight fought the terrorists and likely prevented an attack on the White House or U.S. Capitol.

Nearly 3,000 people died as a result of the attacks. That includes more than 400 first responders who tried to save lives.

“The sacrifice and heroism of that day is unmatched,” Krohn says.

Krohn shares the story of 9/11 with her students each year. She also works with the Freedom Flag Foundation. The Freedom Flag, which began as a sketch on a napkin by a Virginian, honors those affected by the attacks.

The foundation encourages displaying the Freedom Flag on 9/11, discussing its meaning, and holding a moment of silence. 

In 2018, Virginia passed a law making the flag an official symbol there. Several other states are considering doing the same.

To help spread the word, the foundation sends a free kit to selected U.S. schools each year. It contains a Freedom Flag, a piece of steel from the World Trade Center, and a book written by Krohn.

“Our goal is to make the Freedom Flag a national symbol of remembrance for 9/11,” she says, “so that future generations never forget.”