Dateline: September 20, 2001

Terrorism in NY, DC ignites US patriotism  

Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Linda Hill and Holli White wave an American flag during the services last Friday at the Bronco Pep Rally. Enterprise Digital Photo

Donley County residents, like the rest of America, reacted with shock and horror when terrorists hijacked, then crashed two airplanes into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City last Tuesday shortly before and after 8 a.m. local time.

Both towers later collapsed due to the structural damage and intense heat caused by the burning jet fuel. At press time this week, nearly 5,000 people were reported missing in New York.

A third plane was crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, DC, Tuesday after it missed what is believed to have been its primary target – the White House. A fourth plane was also hijacked and re-routed for the nation’s capital. That plane crashed in rural Pennsylvania, and it is believed – based on a cell phone call – that at least three passengers acted to thwart their hijackers’ plans.

The American government has fingered known terrorist leader Usama Bin Laden as being a prime suspect in the attacks. Bin Laden is based in Afghanistan but has support of radical factions in several other countries in the Middle East.

As news of the attacks spread across Clarendon, people flocked to their televisions to view the devastation.

CHS students view attacks

At Clarendon High School, Principal Larry Jeffers went to each classroom and informed students of what had happened. He encouraged classes to discuss the attacks, turned on the large view-screen in the CHS Auditorium, and connected it to a network news feed.

“Sometimes there are more important things than what is happening in the classroom,” Jeffers said. “[The students] were seeing history being made.”

Jeffers said students were very quiet while watching the events unfold and some saw the twin towers in New York come crashing down. The entire student body was gathered in the auditorium for one period from 9 a.m. to 10:30.

Jim Owens puts out the US flag in front of his boot shop last Friday as he does every day. It’s a tradition his father started during the Persian Gulf War.

The principal said some schools in the area did not let their students watch the events, but he felt the kids needed to see what was happening.

“The kids handled it real well. They didn’t seem in fear. It seemed to have a bigger impact on the juniors and seniors.”

CHS Student Council President Carrie Helms agrees with Jeffers that some underclassmen were less affected.

“A lot don’t understand how serious it is,” Helms said. “It makes me angry that some go on with their lives like it’s not a serious thing.”

Helms said the reality of the situation has begun to sink in on her fellow students in the days that have followed the attacks.

“I think some of them have started coming around when people talk about going to war,” she said.

Helms said the attacks have been discussed in her classes, particularly government class where they discussed the responsibilities of the government and its war powers.

Officials at Clarendon Junior High reacted similarly to those at CHS.  Principal Marvin Elam went from room to room, spreading the news.

“The students were very somber as we explained what was going on and told them they were safe here,” Elam said.

Kids were allowed to go to the school library to see the news broadcasts, and eventually news feeds were linked up with televisions in every classroom.

“If kids know the truth, they can deal with it and talk to their parents about it,” he said. “We talked with them about terrorism and hatred.”

Clarendon Elementary Principal Mike Word did not tell his students of the attacks, but did inform his staff.

“My kids are little, and I don’t know that they would understand,” Word said. “We left it up to the parents to explain it.”

In the days after the attacks, Word said the older elementary kids understand that something terrible has happened.

‘I thought it was like War of the Worlds’

Clarendon College Athletic Director Joel Zehr spread the news on College Hill after hearing it on the radio. Zehr stopped by the Enterprise office to check the television before going up to CC.

“I thought this was like ‘War of the Worlds’ or something,” Zehr said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

CC President Myles Shelton said he hadn’t heard of the attacks until Zehr told him.

“It was unreal,” Shelton said. “Then it was clear that it was very real.”

A tearful crowd gathers on Kearney Street to observe the national day of prayer and remembrance. Approximately 200 people attended, including veteran Stanley McKee pictured here.

Shelton said the attitudes of CC students are mirroring the attitudes of the nation – going from shock to grief to anger.

“The concept of what’s really important has dawned on them.”

Sophomore Brady Atwood of Grand, Texas, is the president of the CC Student Senate.

“It really shocked everyone,” Atwood said. “Once you get through with classes, [students] just go back to their room and watch the news.”

Atwood said a lot of students are talking about the possibility of the draft coming back and about what the government is going to do.

By Tuesday afternoon, word was spreading that the attacks were causing a rise in oil prices and reports said gas stations were raising prices. Lines formed at local gas stations, but only two – Taylor Food Mart and Taylor Exxon – were reported to have raised their prices. The stores later lowered the price of regular unleaded back to $1.59, but they have been widely criticized by local citizens.

Tuesday night the Clarendon Board of Aldermen approved a resolution regarding the terrorist attacks earlier that day, expressing the city’s thoughts and prayers for the victims as well as support for those who are suffering, pledging to bring about understanding, and giving thanks for the lives that have secured our freedoms.

Locals directly affected by attacks

Perhaps the local person closest to the attack was Clarendon’s Rep. Mac Thornberry. The congressman had eaten breakfast at the Pentagon and reportedly left minutes before the plane crashed into the building. Thornberry has since canceled personal appearances at town hall meetings in the 13th District so he can remain in Washington.

One local couple was stranded in Canada as result of the attack when the federal government shut down the nation’s airspace. Dr. Brad Williams and his wife Lani were in Vancover for a cattle veterinary seminar at the time. The couple was staying in a hotel near the United State Embassy, and Dr. Williams’ seminar was to be held in the World Trade Center’s Canadian offices.

“It was pretty nerve-racking,” Williams said.

He said the Vancover airport was shut down like American airports were. The couple finally crossed the border Sunday and caught a flight home from Seattle.

Clarendon shows patriotism

About 200 people gathered at noon last Friday to remember the victims of the heinous terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, DC, last week. Those holding Old Glory were Dr. Myles Shelton, David Lowrie, J.D. Hopper, Jimmy Swinney, Mike Spier, and Bill Holden. Enterprise Digital Photo

Citizens of Clarendon joined the national day of prayer and remembrance called for by President George W. Bush on Friday.

Homes and businesses displayed American flags, and a hastily organized service was held at noon on Kearney Street near Henson’s. About 200 people came to the event where local men held a giant America flag while Bryan Knowles gave a prayer, and Dan Hall sang “God Bless the USA.”

Tears filled the eyes of those in attendance as they sang “God Bless America” together and tried to comfort one another in the face of the national tragedy.

Another service was held during the CHS pep rally Friday afternoon to recognize America and the people who died. Elementary students held a large flag, and Dan Hall again sang “God Bless the USA” as students and Bronco fans waved small American flags. The service ended as a member of the Bronco Band played “Taps.”

Friday night, Clarendon’s varsity team traveled to Shamrock, where the Bronco and Irish cheerleaders held a candlelight vigil prior to the game.

The patriotic spirit was still high Monday as citizens turned out to donate blood at Clarendon College. At press time, the number of people giving blood for the victims of the attack was unavailable, but a representative from Coffee Memorial Blood Center said the response from Clarendon had been greater than expected.

All over town, organizations continue to take donations to benefit the terrorist’s victims. Panhandle Community Services, Medical Center Nursing Home, and the Associated Ambulance Authority are just some of those accepting donations.

President Bush has said that America is in for a long, difficult fight in the war against terrorism. Through their recent actions, Clarendon and Donley County citizens have shown that they stand ready to do their part to protect and defend the United States of America.