Many remember where they were on 9/11, but there is an entire generation of people who never will. This is because they weren’t alive to witness what Jennie Taylor saw that morning 23 years ago – an image that inspired her husband to join the military.
When the towers fell on Sept. 11, 2001, a spark lit up underneath Brent Taylor, inspiring him to enlist with the U.S. Army National Guard in the wake of what the FBI attributes as the most lethal terrorist attack in history.
A tragedy that William Jackson, a Utah State University Professor who teaches a class on the War on Terror, notes as an historical “spark event.”
“When it comes to understanding any historical event, you have to go back to the beginning. If you miss the spark event, you might miss some important insights,” said Jackson. “The spark and the information gets crushed by the weight of the narrative.”
For Americans, Jackson believes that narrative starts shortly after what transpired that day. In the days following the attack, former President George W. Bush announced a “Global War on Terror,” focused on stopping and preventing terrorist attacks around the world.
“The United States of America will use all our resources to conquer this enemy,” said Bush. “We will rally the world. We will be patient. We’ll be focused, and we will be steadfast in our determination. This battle will take time and resolve, but make no mistake about it, we will win.”
A television in The 9/11 Project Museum showing the remarks of Former President Bush at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001. (Photo/Landri LaJeunesse)
This presidential decision sent America headfirst into a 20 year war in Afghanistan until Aug. 31, 2021 when, according to the Biden Administration, the war came to an official close. The result? The death of 3,917 U.S. contractors, 1,144 allied troops, and 2,324 U.S. military servicemen.
One of which was Maj. Taylor, who had served 4 volunteer deployments in 11 years before he was killed in action in Afghanistan.
Of course, this event left Jennie and their 7 children without a husband and a father. But for Jennie, there was something else to be found in the wake of Maj. Taylor’s death: a spark of determination.
After Maj. Taylor was killed, Jennie set out to teach others as well as her own children about the true cost of war, and the importance of remembering those who die to protect American freedoms.
“My kid’s dad died serving in Afghanistan in the war that largely started because of 9/11,” said Jennie, “and they understand that the flag isn’t just a piece of fabric. They understand that sometimes people have to die to protect freedom, not just at home, but for perfect strangers.”
Now, Jennie preserves her husband’s legacy through the Major Brent Taylor Foundation, focused on spreading awareness about the price of freedom, and reminding others that 9/11 isn’t just a single day in history, but a sequence of lessons for Americans – lessons that remind people that they are a part of the narrative.
“As cliche as it sounds, freedom isn’t free,” said Jennie. “We hope that by educating people about 9/11, the history and the heroism, it can also serve as a reminder for the call for civics and civility and patriotism in today’s world.”
One way that she does this is through various projects within her foundation – including a community-based commemoration known as “Cache Valley Remembers: The 9/11 Project.”
Jennie hopes that this project brings what she and her husband witnessed 23 years ago to light. It’s why she invited first responders who were there on that fateful day to share their story through an interactive memorial.
Part of the 9/11 walk-through exhibit in Logan, UT. (Photo/Landri LaJeunesse)
She also hopes that, through the history of 9/11 and its rippling effects, it will inspire the community to come together like they did that fateful day.
“History lessons can become a teacher, and we can open our eyes. I love studying history because I see that we have faced and come through hard times before,” said Taylor, “and hopefully, we come out stronger and more united, and not more divided.”
Not only did people gather in places of worship, school campuses, city halls, and even parks to grieve on 9/11, but they did so as one according to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
“We came together because we came to our knees,” said Jennie.
However, that level of unity is not something Jennie sees as often in our modern society, which is another reason why she hopes to educate people about 9/11 in an effort to spark community involvement.
“I think the history lesson brings to light that all the great rights and privileges and opportunities that come with American citizenship, come with responsibility, and come with opportunity to lift and to serve and to be a part of that great American story,” said Jennie, “not just coast along with what somebody else provided.”
For Jennie and her family, that somebody was her husband. And through his memory, she hopes that his sacrifice can spark inspiration in others to be active citizens within their communities, even if that service doesn’t involve the ultimate sacrifice.
An exhibit piece from The 9/11 Project. (Photo/Landri LaJeunesse)
“It’s almost just a matter of throwing out into the universe that you want to, and that you’re willing to,” said Jennie. “The biggest thing is just to be aware, and then look for an opportunity.”
Even if getting involved includes showing interest in a story that students have never heard of.
Volunteers helping with The 9/11 Project stop to watch the news from Sept. 11, 2001. (Photo/Landri LaJeunesse)
In a survey sent to USU students, I asked how many knew about the Global War on Terror. When the results came in, they reported that 41.7% of students had never heard of it.
However, when asked how important they thought it was to learn about, it was a unanimous 100% response. This response coincides with Jackson’s hope that students will seek out this sort of education, even if they haven’t ever been versed in it before.
“The study of The War on Terror and 9/11 allows students to discuss these ideas that they’ve never heard before, open their eyes a little bit,” said Jackson. “It’s a constant process of learning.”
But with 9/11 still fresh in the minds of many American citizens, including Jennie and her family, Jackson thinks that process could be difficult in some settings. This difficulty is apparent in the USU survey, with 70.8% of students claiming that they have never learned about 9/11 in a college classroom.
“This is a topic that is so clouded by taboo, that we can’t talk about it honestly yet,” said Jackson. “It’s history, it’s supposed to be this thing that informs who you are, but it doesn’t cover 9/11 because we aren’t ready yet.”
However, with community projects like “Cache Remembers: The 9/11 Project” and educators like Jennie and Jackson, maybe someday the narrative could change.
Three youth volunteers sit down for a break to watch a clip from the exhibit. (Photo/Landri LaJeunesse)
“That conversation has to start somewhere,” said Jackson, “and a class that discusses 9/11 would be a great way to do so.”
Jennie also believes that starting the conversation will spark acts of service, not just as something students do in their college years, but as a lifelong habit.
“I am hopeful that students can develop that habit, and come to recognize how good it is for the human soul to give back, and to help others,” said Jennie.
Her hope is that the legacy of her husband, Maj. Taylor, can live on through the new generation, and spark a new era of education and giving back.
“That help will carry into the decades ahead. When you leave university, it’s no longer part of your campus day, and it’s no longer required for a grade,” said Jennie, “but it just hopefully becomes a part of who you are.”