Eighteen years later, 9/11 continues to draw a wide array of emotions from many Americans.

Eastern students shared how they spent the day and ways they feel other students can use the day to reflect.

Makayla Upton, a sophomore digital media major, said she does personal reflections on 9/11 to think about the events.

Upton said one way that students can spend the day is thinking about those who were personally affected by 9/11.

“I think it’s really important to reflect because of how many people lost their lives… a lot of families still struggle with loss from it,” Upton said. “There’s just so many people that have to deal with that loss from the event and if someone isn’t personally experiencing that loss, they should remember that others are experiencing that.”

Becca Nation, a freshman history major, said she had not done anything specific to commemorate 9/11 yet but plans to draw something in remembrance of the day.

Nation said students should think about the influence 9/11 had on how the U.S. is today.

“I think you just need to think about the people that lost their lives…we need to reflect on how it changed other people’s lives,” Nation said. “When you’re thinking about this day, just think. This was a very big thing that happened to (the country). Everything changed compared to where it is today.”

Ameer Aqel, a freshman finance major and football player, said the team spoke about 9/11 at practice Wednesday morning.

“Appreciate what you have and never lose sight of what others did to keep you safe,” he said. 

Josh Ernst, a sophomore computer and information technology major, said students should spend the day doing something to acknowledge 9/11.

“It helps not only to commemorate what happened on 9/11 but it can also help that kind of thing from happening again,” Ernst said.

Ernst said he felt some students may not feel as connected to 9/11 compared to older generations because of how young they were at the time 9/11 occurred or because they hadn’t been born yet.

“Especially with the generation that’s coming up people don’t relate to 9/11 at all, I’m only 21 so I don’t really relate much either,” Ernst said.

Ernst said he didn’t relate to 9/11 very much but does have some connections, like being in the military.

“I remember it happening and I know it’s effected a lot of my family,” Ernst said.

Ernst said he believes there have been many changes since 9/11.

“Everybody that is brown at all definitely gets effected by it and there’s a prejudice that’s pushed because ever since that day came people have been racist about it,” Ernst said. “But positively we have higher security.”

Ernst mentioned he felt people should keep in mind that anyone could have carried out the terrorist acts on 9/11.

“Any ethnicity has the ability to do the things that were done that day,” Ernst said.

Eastern held a memorial Wednesday morning for its community to reflect on 9/11.

Nation said she felt it was a good opportunity for students.

 “It’s very respectful. Not a lot of schools do that. I would encourage people to go to (memorials) because they might learn a thing or two while they’re there,” Nation said. 

Corryn Brock can be reached 581-2812 or cebrock@eiu.edu