It has been seven years since the deadliest terrorist attacks occurred on U.S. soil.

To this day, you probably still remember where you were on Sept. 11, 2001 when you received word that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center Towers in New York City, or when the Pentagon was hit, or when a plane crashed into an open field in Pennsylvania.

“Everyone remembers where they were on Sept. 11,” said President John Peters, who recalled being at a meeting off-campus with members of the NIU Foundation and Development Staff.

“Someone came in and said to turn the TV on,” Peters said. “We looked and saw the burning tower, and then in real time we saw the second plane hit.”

Many took the events of Sept. 11 as a learning experience. For schools and universities, it was an opportunity to put the event in historical context.

“I remember talking to the University Council and faculty and encouraging everyone to make it a teachable moment,” Peters said. “We needed to study this problem.”

Some took it as an eye-opener and felt it changed how they see their everyday lives.

“It puts things into perspective in terms of my day-to-day minor problems,” said DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen. “I have to say to myself that this may be a temporary set back, but when I think of Sept. 11 I realize my crisis is only minor.”

Nearly everyone has been impacted by the increased security measures implemented throughout the country.

“We’ve all been impacted by not only additional security measures taken at airports, but at various places such as high rises, schools, power plants,” said DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen. “Unfortunately, a majority of those steps are needed in order to be safer for the environment we live in these days.”

Despite the tightened security, fear still remains for many in high-stress situations, and that fear is a constant reminder of Sept. 11.

“I am still afraid to fly,” said junior anthropology major Mary Petrzilka. “The incident crosses my mind every time I do.”

Security has not only been changed on a national scale, but locally as well.

“The events of Sept. 11 have forced all of us in policing to re-evaluate our strategies and methodologies to ensure we provide the safest environments possible for those we’ve sworn to serve and protect,” said NIU Police Chief Donald Grady , adding the NIU Department of Public Safety continues to pay homage to those who died or were injured on that day.

Feithen also agrees Sept. 11 has changed how we view security measures locally to protect against more than just terrorism.

“I think it brings home the fact of how vulnerable we are not only from terrorist attacks from the outside of the country but every day crimes locally or at the state and national level,” Feithen said. “We have to be prepared the best we can to keep ourselves, our families and our community safe.”

Since 2001, the country appears to have moved on to a generally calmer state.

“I think the fear in general has not necessarily gone away, but it has died down a lot,” Petrzilka said.

Despite changes, Petrzilka feels moving forward is the best option.

“People want to remember and respect that day, but just as well want to move forward,” she said.

“I think we’ve obviously moved forward,” Peters said.