9-11 Caring Carolina

SC Close to September 11^th

    On September 11, 2001, South Carolina lives were changed forever. Many South Carolina lives were lost and people in South Carolina had close ties to the events of September 11^th.  Many unfortunate people shared their opinions for this link.

    Many South Carolina people have remembered Sept. 11^th on Dec. 11, 2001, the three-month anniversary of the September 11^th events. On September 11, about 3,000 people were killed and buildings were damaged and destroyed. On December 11, more than 70 countries played their national anthems. Many ceremonies were also held at places like the White House, the Trade Center Site, the Pentagon, state capitals, and in school rooms.

    Another way South Carolina people have come closer to September 11^th is by designing reminders. Darren Nichols in Rock Hill designed a Ruger .22 caliber rifle. Five hundred rifles were sent to each state and $50 per gun will go to the Twin Towers Fund in New York. Darren says, "I just thought it would be nice to find a way to help the families. I think we all remember when the nation came to a standstill because of this. The people who died that day are all heroes." On the stock of the rifle, there are things like the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and an Eagle. There is also a 24-carat N.Y. quarter with the words, "For those who answered the call, we will not forget."

    Charles Shannon, who lives in Camden, was sent a t-shirt from one of his sons. The t-shirt pays tribute to firefighters and police that were involved in Sept. 11, 2001. Both of his sons were involved. Charles D. Shannon is a firefighter and James M. Shannon is a policeman. They both work in New York City.

    Carolyn Halmon, from Bowman, was an Army budget analyst at the Pentagon. She and her husband looked forward to retiring. She had worked 28 years and he had worked 30 years. When her husband, Herman, saw what was happening in N.Y., he called to tell her. He said, "I called to let her know what happened in New York. She wasn’t at her desk. I left word for her to call me later." Carolyn never called him back. He later found out that a plane had hit the Pentagon. He knew it was the side where she worked. Later the Pentagon called to tell him she was missing. Carolyn is still among the missing.

    Joshua Scott Reiss, 23, was the youngest person at Cantor Fitzgerald Securities. He worked on the top floors of the World Trade Center, Tower 1, and none of the 700 employees have been found. He went to USC and often made the dean’s list before he graduated in 2000. He was also Lou Holtz’s favorite waiter at Longhorn Steakhouse. His mom says, "He was so handsome, tall, 6 foot 2, 200 lbs. He ran every day. If any one could have gotten out of there alive, it would have been him. I can’t understand why God took him from me."

    Richard Lynch, 30, worked at Eurobrokers, Inc. on the 84^th floor of the 2^nd World Trade Center Tower. He graduated in 1993 from USC. He was a tennis player and played on the best USC team yet, the 1989 team. His father says, "He loved playing, he loved competing, and he did love South Carolina."

    In Greenville, people of Marsh, Inc. had 1500 employees that worked in the twin towers. Morgan Stanley set up a toll free line for info about their workers. There are no details if they survived but Newswires say all workers have survived.

    Students from Southside Christian School, from Simpsonville, were supposed to be at the World Trade Center on Sept. 12^th. They were to be there for a week. On Sept. 11^th, they cancelled their trip and headed home. Everyone is safe even though the kids were shocked.

    The U.S. Justice Department will question 25 South Carolina men about terrorism. They want to make sure they aren’t part of a crime. They are voluntary. The people will be questioned by law enforcement officers.

    Young men and women are aware a draft could happen soon. Matt Dembo says, "I wouldn’t like to join the Army, but I wouldn’t run away if I was drafted." Now, more SC young people would want to join the Armed Forces and take pride in the renewed patriotism throughout South Carolina.

    Many Columbians feel that the bin Laden video was proof of bin Laden’s guilt. Some were waiting for proof, but now have it. Brian Fisher says, "He was totally calm. It’s kind of scary because that was exactly what he meant to do."

    I think all of these ways show how South Carolina lives were changed. Some things show South Carolinians' reactions also.  Some South Carolina lives were even lost and we feel so sorry for their families, but hope that be seeing all the wonderful things South Carolinians have done, they live on in spirit.