Irene Mazur, Principal of St. Paul’s Lutheran School, East Northport, New York

The beginning of a school year brings much excitement and additional chores. This day was no exception. School had not been in session one full week—elementary buses and children needed to be checked in at the door and nursery children were learning to say goodbye to Mom and Dad. In all this commotion the news came, a plane had hit a tower at the World Trade Center and then a second. The telephones did not stop ringing. Concerned family members called us to relay messages, “Dom’s brother is okay, he’s on his way down”, “Grandpa got out—he called”! “Dom’s brother is lost in the building—we can’t find him” (2 hours later). “He’s in a taxi and leaving the area.” “Grandpa went back in to help the children, he can’t be found.” “Have you seen Dennis? Did he go to work today?” A feeling of terror, dread, and sadness permeated every hallway of our building. We did not tell the children of the day’s events and the nursery parents were also asked not to speak of the events in the hallway to avert alarming the elementary children.

Parents, Staff, and Relatives were looking to St. Paul’s administration for reassurance, guidance, and words of wisdom. How could I reassure them? What could I tell them? My thoughts were of my own children—get home from the local college! Cut your classes! I even went to the high school and signed out my daughter. I needed my two children with me here at St. Paul’s.

During the day many parents freely came in to be near their children. They sat in the hallways outside the classes, occasionally went in for a hug, and some like my own went home to the safety (?) of their homes. Our world was nothing like we had ever known.

The teachers needed to be together as well, and share emotions with each other. Many groups met for prayer led by the Nursery School Director. Our nursery afternoon session was canceled. We spent the remainder of the day pensively in quiet prayer.

As the reality of this terror settled in, a few facts came to light. Philip Hayes (Grandpa to our office assistant, Miss Kelly, was missing, as was Dennis Scauso (husband of our computer/technology teacher, and father of four). We later were informed Kevin Murphy (Dad of one of our four year old nursery children) had not been heard from since early morning.

Return to school on September 12th brought many stories of aunts, uncles, neighbors who had survived. The Pastors Mehl offered family prayer services at 8:45 p.m. and Noon for all our children and their families. Funds were started to financially help the families with missing loved ones. Dinners, landscaping services, contractors, and craftsman hired to help our three families, and of course, they have been in our daily prayers.

Two months after the tragedy four boxes arrived from UPS. (Remember! - the threat of anthrax was ever present in our minds.) Carefully, ever so carefully, I opened the boxes to find over 300 stuffed animals with personal notes of prayer and love from children in California. A second batch arrived from the Lutheran Schools Association in another month. Strangers were offering love and prayers. Our hearts were filled with warmth and love and bright smiles were on the faces of all our children.

The year has gone on. Miss Kelly has returned to work and college and is assisting Grandma Hayes. Mrs. Scauso has not yet returned and neither has Mrs. Murphy returned to her counseling work in the district.

The September 11th tragedy left us empty and hurting. The outpouring of prayers and love have helped us to mend. Blessings to all of you who have kept us in your prayers.

In Jesus’ Love,

Irene G. Mazur

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