5 Things to Know: Your 9/11 Stories Matter

On Sept. 11, the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, Long Islanders 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 communities, 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. Email them to chris@patch.com with your name and home town and we’ll feature them on your local 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 your community Patch. Click on the “Want to blog on Patch?” link on the homepage or email the editor 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 on how they go about teaching 9/11 and how the experience has changed over the years. Send an email to chris@patch.com.

4. Patch will be at events and ceremonies across Long Island related to the anniversary, from the Suffolk County memorial service on Sept. 8 at the county headquarters in Hauppauge to ceremonies at the Southampton Firehouse and Calverton National Cemetery. But if you are holding any events related to 9/11, be sure to add them to our calendars so the community knows and can 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 the editors know about your organization by emailing them directly, or post "Volunteers Needed" announcements on the site. We’ll display them prominently in the days leading up to the anniversary.