Young people who weren't around for 9/11 attend Naperville, Illinois memorial, learn valuable lessons
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (CBS) -- On this 23rd anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Chicagoans paused to remember the lives lost.
It was an emotional night at a memorial in Naperville for Cmdr. Dan Shanower, a west suburban native who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon.
In the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, the United States of America was a nation united. But speakers in Naperville worry that bond is now frayed.
"It seems like our society continues to drift further apart instead of coming closer together," said Naperville police Chief Jason Arres.
At the ceremony to remember Shanower, a Navy intelligence officer, a crowd of hundreds were in attendance. Some in the crowd were too young to have seen that unity.
"My mom has been saying that she was teaching a class when 9/11 happened," said Sofia Pozo, 13.
The youngsters lean on their parents, their teachers, and adults who do remember.
"Our generation needs to know more about it because we weren't there, so we don't know the emotions, the thoughts, or what was actually happening," said Harper Sherritz, 12, "and I think it's important, and I think people should speak about it more."
They also learn proactively about the attacks and the country's response.
"President Bush said in his address to the nation on the September 11th attack: 'Today, our nation saw evil. The very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, With the daring of the rescue workers, With the care of strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could,'" said Elizabeth McConkie, who wrote an essay for the Naperville ceremony.
But while those who were around at the time likely clearly remember watching President George W. Bush say those words on TV, McConkie does not.
"I was not alive when America's worst times were met with our best qualities of sacrifice, unity, and bravery," she said. "We'll never know if you never tell us. Please help us remember."
One way to remember is a memorial in Naperville with a steel beam from the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center—still looming large until next year's remembrance.