Remembering 9-11
The terror attacks on New York City and Washington, DC on September 11, 2001 touched everyone across the United States. It changed many things in America and now twenty-five years later people across the nation are looking to September 11, 2026 as a time of remembrance. Most Americans can tell you where they were that day and what they were doing when they heard the news of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center and the rest of the events that morning. This is just as generations before can remember where they were on other significant dates in history. Meanwhile, there are generations that only see this as something they read in a history book and follow the stories as the date draws near with new eyes.
The attacks that day may have been thousands of miles away, but the effects rippled across the country as people waited to hear the news of their loved ones that may or may not have been in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon or on a plane that crashed in a Pennsylvania field because of the bravery of those souls on that plane.
In Stanley, residents spent the days to follow glued to the news as they learned that one of their own, Ann Nicole Nelson, was in the towers on the day that airplanes struck the World Trade Center. The daughter of Gary and Jenette Nelson, Ann was 30 years old working as a broker’s trader for Cantor Fitzgerald, just floors above where the airplane hit the building.
Ann was born on May 17, 1971. She attended school in Stanley through her sophomore year before attending Wayland Academy in Wisconsin. She graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, MN. A memorial service was held in Stanley on October 6, 2001 for Ann. She was finally laid to rest on May 17, 2001 on what would have been her 31st birthday. Her headstone depicts the World Trade Center. There is a picture of Ann that urges people to “Pray for Peace”. It also has a poem written by her mother. The back side of the stone has an artist’s rendition of a photo of Ann that was used in the New York Times.
Over the years, Ann’s family continued to attend and participate in remembrance activities in North Dakota, Wisconsin and in New York City. The family has also made many things possible in Ann’s memory including The Ina Mae Rude Aquatic Center’s fitness center, Mountrail County Medical Center’s emergency room, the Ann Nicole Nelson Hall at Minot State University, and Annie’s House, an adaptive recreation facility at Bottineau Winter Park.
After Ann’s passing, her mother, Jenette eventually brought herself to open Ann’s computer and on there she found Ann’s List. This unfinished list of 36 items (actually 37 as one number was used twice) gave an insight to the woman that Ann was. It showed her goals for life, but also some amazing life lessons that could be learned by all of us. This list also graces Annie’s House at Bottineau Winter Park.
In memory of one of the 3,000 lives lost that day, below is Ann’s List, for those who may have never seen it, forgotten it, or lost their copy.
Be healthy/healthful.
Be a good friend.
Keep secrets.
Keep in touch with people I love and who love me.
Make a quilt.
Nepal.
Buy a home in North Dakota.
Get a graduate degree.
Learn a foreign language.
Kilimanjaro
Never be ashamed of who I am.
Be a person to be proud of.
Always keep improving.
Read every day.
Be informed.
Knit a sweater.
Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef.
Volunteer for a charity.
Learn to cook.
Learn about art.
Get my CFA.
Grand Canyon
Helicopter-ski with my dad.
Spend more time with my family.
Remember birthdays!!!
Appreciate money but don’t worship it.
Learn how to use a computer.
Visit the New York Public Library.
Maine
Learn to write.
Walk=exercise but also see the world firsthand.
Learn about other cultures.
Be a good listener.
Take time for friends.
Kayak.
Drink water.
Learn about wine.
While Ann’s is just one of the many stories of the lives lost that day, it is important that as a nation we remember their stories, their lives and vow never to forget. Remember those we lost, but also the impact of that day on our nation and future.
Ann is survived by her mother, her brother, her sister-in-law, nieces and nephews. Ann’s father Gary passed away in November of 2019.
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum offers the following suggestions for how individuals can mark the 25-year anniversary.
Observe moments of silence: Observe a moment of silence on September 11 at any or all of the following times marking key moments on 9/11:
8:46 a.m.: Hijackers deliberately crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into floors 93 through 99 of the North Tower.
9:03 a.m.: Hijackers deliberately crashed United Airlines Flight 175 into floors 77 through 85 of the South Tower.
9:37 a.m.: Hijackers deliberately crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon, near Washington, D.C.
9:59 a.m.: The South Tower collapsed.
10:03 a.m.: After learning of the other attacks, passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 launched a counterattack on hijackers aboard their plane to try to seize control of the aircraft. In response, the hijackers crashed the plane into an empty field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
10:28 a.m.: The North Tower collapsed.
Toll bells: Toll bells on September 11 at 8:46 a.m. or at each of the times listed above.
(Editor’s Note: The times listed in this list are all eastern time.)
Read victims’ names aloud: The 9/11 Memorial Guide allows users to select specific victim names or groups of names, including names of individuals from a certain town or state, a specific company, or first responder agency.
Lower flags: Lower flags to half-staff on the anniversary of 9/11.
The following poem was written for Ann’s 40th Birthday by Jenette Nelson, Annie’s Mom, May 15, 2011.
They remind me of you
As I looked outside our window
I beheld these tulips as they grew
they were fresh and brave and lovely --
they reminded me of you.
They are not delicate pastel --
nor are they lily white.
They are brilliant red and yellow --
exuberant and bright.
Tulips are among the first
to call for a season that is new -
The manner of your death
called for thought renewal too.
Tulips are brave - I’ve seen them
poke their heads up through snow.
I’ve seen you show that kind of courage
as you sought new ways to grow.
They are undaunted by the
turbulence of spring.
Like you - they bring joy and hope
as they join the birds that sing.
They live among the weeds and
common grass grows ever by their side,
but they shine forth in all their beauty
smiling like a glorious bride.
When the leaves of autumn fall
I will lift the tulips from this place
and move them to a better one
where the sun and gentle rain
will always kiss their face.
They will bring to each who see
the gift of God’s great love.
They will remind us
that he still rules
from his home above.
He has lifted you to live with him
where the sun does ever shine
For us he sends the birds - the tulips
as a comfort and a sign.
Soon we too will leave this place to
live with you on high ---
Until then we will always love you
We will never let your spirit die.