Five Reasons Why Your 9/11 Stories Matter

On September 11, the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, residents from East Meadow and across Long Island will remember the attack that shattered the heart of the nation and left thousands in the New York area mourning the loss of their parents, children, relatives and heroes.

In the decade that’s followed, the rebuilding has been felt on many levels, from the workers who shifted from clearing bricks to laying them at Ground Zero, to the parents teaching their children tolerance yet vigilance in a post-9/11 world.

In the coming weeks Patch will focus on the local stories of remembrance and healing in our community, and central to that is the willingness of our citizens to share their stories and viewpoints.

Here are five ways you can join Patch and share your stories.

1. Though 10 years is a long time to heal, the events of 9/11 left people eternally changed. To capture what that means in our communities, we’re asking people to send in short descriptions on how the tragedy changed them. E-mail them to Michael.Ganci@patch.com with your name and link to East Meadow, and we’ll feature them on Patch leading up to the anniversary.

2. If you’d like to share more than how 9/11 changed you, either by remembering where you were when the tragedy struck, or by paying tribute to the heroes who inspired you, we’d love to have you blog on Patch. Click on the “Want to blog on Patch?” link on the homepage to get set up.

3. While many of us had to teach ourselves to understand the events of 9/11, a select few had to teach our children. We’d like to hear from the educators of all levels in the community about how they go about teaching 9/11, and how the experience has changed over the years. Send an e-mail to Michael.Ganci@patch.com.

4. Patch will be at events and ceremonies across Long Island related to the anniversary, including the parade at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 11 that starts at the and concludes at in East Meadow. However, if you or another organization is holding any events related to 9/11, be sure to add them to the event calendars so the community knows and could attend. We’ll try to make it, too.

5. Many people honor the occasion by volunteering, and we’d like to make sure the community knows about all the opportunities that exist in our areas. Let us know about your organization by e-mailing Michael.Ganci@patch.com directly, or post Volunteers Needed announcements on the site. We’ll display them prominently in the days leading up to the anniversary.

East Meadow Patch thanks you for sharing for coverage of this solemn occasion.