BCS 5th Grade 9/11 Talk

Romans 12:15 NIV

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Tuesday, September 11, 2001 was just a regular, busy day. Summer was over and school was back in session, it was early morning and people were headed to their jobs and other daily activities. Two airplanes filled with passengers were crashed into two large office buildings in NY City, called the World Trade Center nicknamed the Twin Towers. They weren’t the tallest buildings in the world, but they were symbolic because they housed many offices of our largest financial institutions. Who knows there the other planes crashed? Pentagon—what is there? Field outside of Pennsylvania. Who knows why the plane crashed there?

Tuesday, September 11, 2001 was just a regular day.

On September 11, 2001, while on board United Airlines Flight 93, Tom Burnett called his wife, Deena, after hijackers took control of the plane. He made several phone calls to her from rows 24 and 25, though he was assigned a seat in row four. Burnett explained that the plane had been hijacked by men claiming to have a bomb. He also said that a passenger had been stabbed with a knife and that he believed the bomb threat was a ruse to control the passengers. During his second call to her, she told him about the attacks on the World Trade Center and he replied that the hijackers were talking about crashing this plane and that he realized it was a suicide mission. He asked her for information about the attacks, interrupting her from time to time to tell the others nearby what she was saying. Then he hung up. Upon learning of the situation, Deena, a former flight attendant, recalled her training and urged Burnett to sit quietly and not draw attention to himself. However, Burnett instead informed her that he and three other passengers were forming a plan to take the plane back from the hijackers, and leading other passengers in this effort. He ended his last call by saying, "Don't worry, we're going to do something." Burnett and several other passengers stormed the cockpit, foiling the hijackers' plan to crash the plane into the White House or Capitol Building. The plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field, killing all 44 people on board.

The terrorists wanted to harm us because they had several “beefs” with us or disagreements. They were mad at us. To them, we were the enemy and they wanted to hurt us and kill us. I want us to think about what the Bible says about they way we treat our enemies. *How are we supposed to treat our enemies?

The New International Version Chapter 12

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”n says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”o

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

*What does it mean to repay evil for evil? *Have you ever wanted to do that?

Inspirational quotes?

*Who should we let figure it all out? God. *Why is that hard to do?

*What should we actually do? Feed our enemies and give them a drink of water.

Don’t be “overcome” buy evil but overcome evil with good. That’s why this place is here. To reflect on what you can do. Thomas Burnett and his fellow passengers said they were “going do do something.” This is a place to quietly reflect on what you can do that’s good in the world. Not to get even with people who hurt us or to feel bad about that but to overcome it with good. Rock quotes: “Heroes can give their lives all at one time or they can give a little each day.” Dena Burnett

The flags: 2,977 mostly American and 90 others. I like the display because it’s simple and beautiful. It’s orderly. Contrasting with a day of chaos and destruction, our memorial is one of peace, order, and beauty. It says to everyone who views it, we will overcome evil with good. It’s interactive. You can walk among the flags and think about ways where you can be a force for good in the world. You make it your own experience.

Inspirational quotes?

Scriptures to go along?