LETTER: So that we never forget 9/11 schools must teach about it

To Ozaukee Press:

Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, marks the 24th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the downing of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pa., on its way to crash into a federal building in Washington, D.C.  A total of 2,977 people were killed on that day in 2001.

     One of the victims was Andrea Haberman. Andrea was a 25-year-old Wisconsin native. She was a graduate of Kewaskum High School and was an alumna of St. Norbert’s College. Andrea was engaged to her college sweetheart and in the process of planning her wedding.

Andrea was in New York City for a business meeting at 9 a.m. on the 92nd floor of the North Tower. At 8:46 a.m. American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower between floors 93 and 99. Escape for Andrea was not possible. Her cell phone was found by recovery workers and is now a part of the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s collection.

     Andrea’s family took action despite their grief by helping to establish the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial and Education Center in Kewaskum. 

This Thursday at 1 p.m., the annual ceremony to honor and remember the victims of that tragic day that claimed the lives of so many Americans will be held at the center. It is a moving and memorable ceremony to attend. My husband and I plan to be there, as we have been for a number of years.

     I was surprised to learn that only 14 states require by law instruction pertaining to the 9/11 events. Wisconsin is not one of those states. I hope Wisconsin legislators act to make education about 9/11 a part of students’ education here. Lesson plans for levels 3-12 are available from the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City to assist teachers in their instruction. It is only by educating students now and in the future about what happened in the past that we can hope to avoid another 9/11 from happening again.  

Karen Meador

Port Washington