9/11 Remembered: Kris Pass & Sandra Teague

As the the 24 year anniversary of the September 11th attacks approaches I wanted to get the perspectives of those who were effected, whether that be directly or indirectly by interviewing them. In this interview I speak with my former 5th grade teacher and friend Kris Pass who lost her friend Sandra Teague on American Airlines flight 77 which was hijacked and crashed into the pentagon that morning.

Joe: How long have you been a teacher?

Kris: I have been a teachers assistant for twenty five years. I worked in the Chapel Hill Carboro City schools for six years and at Woods Charter for nineteen years. I have worked with all elementary age students but mostly with third and fourth graders.

Joe: What were you doing on the morning of September 11th 2001?

Kris: I was in Mr. Falgout’s fourth grade class at Glenwood Elementary school in Chapel Hill, NC. when the first plane went into the trade center. We were actually watching the news when the second plane went into the trade center. The TV was quickly turned off when we realized it was not a strange accident but rather an act of terror.

Joe: When were you first notified about the attacks?

Kris: The official word came to the staff via the front office and principal. We rushed around making copies for all students of the official statement from the central office.

Joe: What was your initial reaction?

Kris: My initial Reaction was fear and worry. I remember being thankful that my son was in the same school I was in and I knew he was safe. My husband was traveling for work, heading home from Asheville, NC. I was so thankful he was driving and not flying. He told me later that military cars and trucks were flying past him in the left hand lane he assumed headed to the military bases in Fayetteville and Jacksonville, NC.

Joe: How did your fellow teachers respond when they heard the news?

Kris: We were all in shock and when we could gather without students around, were able to share or scared and worried feelings. Around the students, we acted like life was normal as best we could. The tv was on in the library office where staff could go to see what was happening, if not working with students at that moment.

I had a throbbing headache when I got home; and then the news stayed on all night and the worry, fear and sadness took over for days later.

Joe: How did your fellow teachers break the news to your students?

Kris: The staff was told not to discuss the attack with the children on the day of the attack, but we all knew and knew why there were no planes in the sky during recess time. They had been grounded all over the United States.

It was such a hard and stressful day to act like all was normal when we really had no idea the extent of the terrorist act and casualties. We sent home flyers in every child’s book bag the evening of 9/11 with a statement written by the central Office. It basically stated when we knew as a school of the attacks when we left school that afternoon and to discuss with their students.

Joe: Tell me about your friend Sandra. What was she like?

Kris: Sandra Teague was an amazing person. She was a beautiful friend, fun loving with a wicked since of humor. She and I were in high school marching band together, both clarinet players. We practiced in the heat of summers and marched during halftime of football games. Playing in the stands as pep band, we cheered our team on. We would laugh before games, changing our cheers, making satire out of RJ Reynolds High school. Always bringing up the tobacco industry in the cheer.

Joe: When did you learn that Sandra had perished in the attacks?

Kris: Honestly, I think it was brought to light that Sandra was a victim of 9/11 right before our high school reunion in 2008. Her plane had gone down in the Pentagon, in Washington DC.

Sandra was on the way to a dream vacation, to Australia, but she never made it out of the country. She was newly engaged and had the rest of her life to look forward to.

Joe: How did you feel learning that someone you knew and had been friends with died in the attacks?

Kris: Loosing Sandra was hard and the way she died was horrific. We were all shocked and sad. It brought back that day in all the fear and sadness.

Joe: What was the aftermath of 9/11 like for you?

Kris: We had a coworker, good friend of mine, who is also Muslim and dresses in traditional coverings. I remember she came to school after with an American flag pen on her lapel and wore it most days after. Most of the Untied States came together the days that followed and supported each other but fear of the origin of the terrorists took some to believe falsely that Muslims were all terrorists.

Joe: How did your school respond to the attacks in the aftermath?

Kris: Glenwood was a tight family. We loved our coworkers and students. We got even closer after the attacks. My coworkers from Glenwood are still family to me to this day.

Joe: How do you commemorate the attack and remember your friend Sandra in the 24 years since 9/11?

Kris: Every year my fellow classmates change our profile picture to Sandra’s photo to share her story. We will never forget her and honor her memory every year.

Joe: How do you think the rest of the world should remember September 11th 2001?

Kris: I share Sandra’s story with my students every year and who she was as my friend.

Sandra was a shining star a bright light in a scary world. Her memory brings a smile to my face and her story makes that scary day one of honor and hope. Hope of peace one day. Love will win, ultimately.

Dedicated to Sandra Dawn Teague and everyone else who perished on September 11th 2001.