Lesson 5: Remembrance and Legacy

Minnesota Social Studies Standards
History Standard:  “The end of the Cold War, shifting geopolitical dynamics, the intensification of the global economy, and rapidly changing technologies have given renewed urgency to debates about the United States’ identity, values and role in the world. (The United States in a New Global Age)”

History Standard:  “Globalization, the spread of capitalism and the end of the Cold War have shaped a contemporary world still characterized by rapid technological change, dramatic increases in global population and economic growth coupled with persistent economic and social disparities and cultural conflict. (The New Global Era: 1989- Present)”

Geography Standard:   “Processes of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of the earth’s surface.” 

Learning Objective
Students will be able to discuss the impact of 9/11 upon the lives of the featured Minnesotans. As an extended objective -  with further classroom instruction - students will discuss and draw conclusions about the continued legacy of 9/11 regarding U.S. domestic and foreign policy. 

Introduction/Warm-up
Play this short clip from Mr. Scott Wallace, who successfully evacuated from the 63rd floor of the North Tower on 9/11. In this clip, he expresses what 9/11 signified to him.
https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/477281334/4fecb287cb (make public) - 4:07 - 5:51

Teacher instruction
Today you will hear from:

  • Mr. Scott Wallace, a Vietnam veteran and businessman who was inside the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City (in the wrap-up portion of the lesson)

  • Ms. Mariah Jacobsen, who was a junior in high school in St. Paul, Minnesota

  • Jill Stephenson, the mother of Ben Kopp, a soldier who served in Iraq and Afghanistan

  • Dr. Andrew Baker, a forensic pathologist who helped identify the remains of the victims of the Pentagon attack 

  • Mr. Roger Reinert, a former Minnesota state legislator, Duluth City Council member and Lt. Commander in the United States Navy

  • General Joseph Votel, who parachuted into Afghanistan with the Rangers in October 2001

This PPT explains who is being interviewed.  More details below.

  1. Play https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/494832977/ba077598f7 (make public)- 1:00 - 2:57

    Dr. Andrew Baker discusses an unexpected emotional reaction he had about a month after 9/11

  2. Play https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/431522999/82f7b3b688 (make public)
    General Joseph Votel discusses what he believes to be the most pressing  threats to the United States 49:43 - 52:20

  3. Play Roger Reinert Video 2:18 - 5:53
    Roger Reinert discusses how his deployment was different from most soldiers, and the difficulty of returning home after deployment. 

  4. Jill Stephenson.  NOTE:  If you did not teach Lesson 4, explain to students that Jill Stephenson is the mother of Ben Kopp, an Army Ranger, who was deployed three times, twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan.  In Lesson 4, Stephenson explains that her son joined the military because the attacks of 9/11 were “personal” to him; he felt that the attacks on 9/11 were a direct insult to his grandfather’s military service to America in WW2.  Ben was motivated by a very strong desire to serve America as his grandfather had.

    Play https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/421668284/100619dc90 (make public) 14:16 - 17:44
    Discusses Ben’s feelings and attitude as he preps for his third deployment.

    Play https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/421672845/3aa33a7e47  (make public) 0:00 - 2:37 - describes the firefight that led to Ben Kopp’s death
    Note: Explain to students that Walter Reed is a major medical complex that treats members of the United States Military. It is near Washington, D.C.  Presidents and their families can also be treated at Walter Reed.

    Play https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/421672845/3aa33a7e47  (make public) 2:40 - 10:53
    Jill Stephenson discusses the death of Ben.  She also discusses how Ben’s life lives on in other people through his actions on the battlefield and his decision to be an organ donor.   

    Play https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/421680796/7f116337b9 (make public) 0:30 - 4:20
    Learn about the person who received Ben Kopp’s heart. It turned out that Jill Stephenson’s cousin had a coworker who was in need of a heart transplant.  In this clip, Jill Stephenson discusses her reaction to learning that Ben’s heart was a match.

    Play https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/421680796/7f116337b9 (make public) 8:20 - 11:05
    Jill Stephenson discusses her reaction to learning that Osama Bin Laden had been killed in May 2011.

    Play https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/421680796/7f116337b9 (make public) 4:25 - 5:45.
    Jill Stephenson discusses the circumstances regarding the taking of this picture at her son’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery. 

  5. Mariah Jacobsen learns that her birth father was Tom Burnett, Jr., one of the passengers on Flight 93 that crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  Burnett and other passengers fought back against the hijackers.  It is believed that the hijackers intended to crash this airplane into the United States Capitol; the actions of Burnett and the other passengers prevented that from happening.

    Play https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/497070030/8105205a9b (make public)
    Mariah Jacobsen explains that when she was a freshman in college in 2003 she learned that Tom Burnett, Jr. was her birth father.

    • Play 7:37 - 9:11

    • Play 10:35 - 13:00

    • Play 15:02 - 16:59

    Play https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/497070030/8105205a9b  (make public)24:36 - 28:46
    Mariah visits her birth father’s grave and learns more about his character.

    Read the transcripts of the four phone calls Tom Burnett made to his wife, Deena.
    (Also listed as an activity in Lessons 1 and 2.)

    Play https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/497342544/082b9ab620 (make public) 6:27 - 10:35
    Mariah Jacobsen discusses the legacy of her birth father and the other passengers of Flight 93.

Wrap-Up
Could also be used as a short homework assignment.) 

Play for students this short clip of Scott Wallace’s interview:  14:34 - 16:28 https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/477697716/3179cee388 (make public)
(Remind students that Mr. Wallace was on the 63rd floor of the North Tower on 9/11.  He was able to get out of the building and eventually call home to his family.  In this short section of video, he talks about being in a hotel room that night and what he did.)

Then, hand out to students Mr. Wallace’s “I Remember” document.

Have students read Mr. Wallace’s memories and discuss which memories were most poignant to the students.