ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. — As a teacher for 34 years, Eric West has mostly taught current events at Francis Howell High School.
Throughout his time, he's seen some historic events unfold.
"We recognized right away we experienced something terrible, something significant. We spent the semester figuring out that significance and what had changed in the world," West said.
Sept. 11, 2001, forever changed our country. Justin Bridwell recalled that day 23 years ago.
Bridwell said, "It was my 17th birthday, just another day."
Little did Bridwell know, this day made its mark.
"Mr. West, my third-period American history teacher. I will never forget," Bridwell said.
In 2001, West took his seniors, including Bridwell, to the library to watch history unravel in real time.
"That right there is what I think drove me to what I ultimately wanted to do," Bridwell said. "On Sept. 11, 2011, on my 17th birthday, I raised my right hand and swore into the United States Navy."
Right after class, he drove himself to the recruiter's office. Since then, Bridwell has served in the Navy for four years, Air Force for two and Marines for six years.
After traveling the world twice, Bridwell returned home to St. Charles County.
His own kids go to the same high school now. In a recent open house, Bridwell reunited with West, who reminded Bridwell of a class assignment given two weeks after the 9/11 attack. About 40 students wrote a letter on their thoughts and feelings for a time capsule 9/11 project.
"You're going to get these back in 50 years in 2051 to read to your grandchildren," West had said.
Bridwell got his letter back early. Francis Howell School District gave him the letter in a video for a 9/11 tribute this year.
His letter read:
"A day that will live in infamy. I walked into my third hour on September 11, 2001 on my 17th birthday. I walked in there not knowing what happened seconds earlier. I sat down in my seat just like every other day. My friend turned to me and told me to read the board. When I looked up I could not believe what my eyes are looking at. In big bold print on the board were the words: Two planes have just crashed into the World Trade Center New York. I sat back in my seat, silent, confused along with my classmates listening to the frantic voice on the radio. A class once loud and talkative now nothing but silence. After a few minutes of dead silence, except for the radio, Mr. West told us we were going to the library to watch this on TV. We sit down, the TV comes on the screen, it's filled with fire, flames, and mass destruction we sat there not as an individual, not as a class but as a one. We sat there watching this happen. The bell rings and the halls are filled with the buzz of the attacks of the U.S. You would not believe how much the U.S. is coming together. All you can see are American flags waving half staff all over the place and people flying flags in their cars as well. I was watching the news that night and a firefighter comes on saying this is no longer a job, this is personal. I think we all think that now. In loving memory to all those we have lost, Justin Bridwell."
Bridwell told 5 On Your Side the letter meant the world to him.
"To open that letter up, my heart stopped. It’s unreal, I guess, to see a piece of history," he said.
West was impressed by Bridwell's thoughts as a young man.
"A 17-year-old saw so much had changed. We were Americans, we didn’t look at left or right, something had changed in the country," West said. "The words he wrote down, I was stunned."
In return, Bridwell was thankful for his teacher and his forward thinking.
"For him to have that foresight, to know he needed to do something to help us remember. I can’t thank the man enough," Bridwell said.
Bridwell's letter focused on a united front. That's how these two will always see each other along with their hope for our country.
"I was proud to be a part of that because that is what this country needs, we need unity," Bridwell said.
West has about 40 letters saved in a bank vault and plans to give back those letters to each student in 2051.
Their most recent reunion is even more special for West, who is retiring this year after 34 years at Francis Howell.