By Julie Hofler
Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
September 11. It seems like just yesterday. One month ago today, the nation stood still in shock as the twin towers of the World Trade Center and part of the Pentagon crumbled. In an instant, thousands of lives were destroyed or changed, and like the prominent New York City skyline, will never be the same.
America has had one month to reflect on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks - to verify the safety of family and friends, to become more educated in U.S. foreign policy issues, to think about how different the nation and the world are now than they were just 31 days ago.
"I kind of liked the United States' naivete," said fourth-year College student Jennifer Beals, reflecting on the nation's changes of the past month. "I wish we could go back to the way things were."
For some students, the weeks following the attacks have provided a new outlook on life.
"It made me appreciate day-to-day life more," first-year College student Jennifer Vantien said. "I'm less worried about little stuff like classes and more concerned with having a full life."
Second-year College student Lauren Andersen had similar sentiments.
"I think it has just opened my eyes and made me appreciate everyone around me so much more," Andersen said.
The constant news coverage of the attacks along with University forums and Teach-Ins have provided insight on an area of the world of which many people may have had little previous knowledge.
"I think the most important think is trying to understand why they did it and try to prevent it from happening again," fourth-year College student Casey Burke said.
For Burke, the last 30 days have spurred a different perspective of the America's role in the world.
"It's made me think about being part of a global community more and realizing how privileged we have been" to have not experienced this before, Burke said.
Today's anniversary of the attacks also has caused new concerns for students.
"With the anniversary, I'm worried it could happen again," Andersen said.
Burke said that just two days ago she found out that someone she knew had died in the World Trade Center.
"I'm afraid it's not over," she said. "I'm afraid of going to war, I'm afraid of us bombing innocent people."
First-year College student Ewan Mulligan is an American citizen who lived most of his life in England, and said he was cynical about the America's response in the past month.
"I think it's horrific that lives had to be lost, but America did need to be woken up," Mulligan said. "I thought previously that America was not fair in things it did to other countries and now it is more awake."
But what a wake-up call.
"It makes you realize how easy it is for someone to attack you if they have time, dedication and money," third-year College student Trip Anderson said. "It makes you a little bit more aware of the dangers out there."
But even though Sept. 11 brought death, destruction and fear to many Americans, it has also created a new sense of patriotism in the weeks that followed.
Thirty-one days later, red, white and blue still decorates windows, storefronts and car antennas.
For all the emotional turmoil of the past month, America's determination has prevailed.
"The country has come together," Beals said.
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