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Entry bubble 911 Anniversary

By: Ginger | September 11, 2009 | Category: General

Fireman hanging American flag at Pentagon after 911 tragedyOn September 11, 2001, what started as a “normal” day turned into one of those days that everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. I was working when someone ran into our office and told us that something horrible was happening in New York.

About 20 of my colleagues gathered in an office to watch the news on television. We watched the reports of the towers collapsing, the Pentagon attack, and then it was reported that another terrorist-seized plane was thought to be heading towards the White House. This caused alarm amongst us, because our office is located a couple of blocks from the White House. At some point, we were told to leave the building.

When I got home, I turned the television on and kept it on, for what seemed like days. I obsessively watched the news, like millions of other Americans, trying to understand why this happened. When I think about that day, it still boggles my mind that a group of people could be so full of hate to commit such an act. When we saw images of men, women, and children, thousands of miles away rejoicing and celebrating in the streets over the deaths of innocent people, it sickened me.

I wonder if the people behind this event feel today that it accomplished something for their people. Did it resolve their problems or make conditions better for their people? Perhaps the 911 perpetrators were never really concerned about their people at all. Maybe all of this was done to accomplish some selfish goal for themselves. I can't say, but looking at the state of the world, it seems to me, that all it did was further entrench this “us against them” thinking.

Did anything positive come out of this tragedy? Yes, it did. Neighbors met neighbors, US citizens' eyes were opened about world geography and other cultures/beliefs, we were reminded of what a great country we live in, people showed their respect for fire fighters and police officers, it became cool to be patriotic, people called their loved ones just to tell them how much they cared for them, and we improved emergency communications amongst first responders. This tragedy also reminded the world that when Americans are attacked, we unite to become stronger. This year, in the spirit of that unity, we recognize today as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

| View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: 911   ginger   national_day_of_service_and_remembrance  

Comments (5):

blue comment bubble Posted by Andy on September 11, 2009 at 11:38 AM EDT

I still remember when i visited new york for thew first time a couple years before 911. I still remember how i felt when I saw the WTC it seemed majestic to me!
I was thrilled by the entire city I just loved it.

Due to business, I went back to NY a couple years after the tragedy had happened.
Visiting that place, empty, all the pictures of the missing people, that was shocking!

I feel the same as you do about all these people full of hate!
Why they did it? Maybe we will never know for sure, thruth is that has made us stronger. Not only as a nation, but as humans.

We will always remember 911 as a very shocking day, but we would never feel how all the people who lost someone there felt that day.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Ruth K., Miami, Fla. on September 11, 2009 at 01:36 PM EDT

It was 8:50 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001. I was dropping off my children -- Steph & Syd -- at day care. The Today Show was on the radio -- 87.7 FM. I believe Cornell West was the next scheduled guest. I was looking forward to hearing what he had to say. By the time I got back to the car shortly before 9 a.m., the entire mood of the show had changed. At first, I didn't understand what was happening. Katie Couric had calmly and gravely delivered unthinkable news. I knew America would never be the same again.

Steph's birthday was the next day, 9/12. We were so shocked we almost didn't celebrate it. But a woman, whose name I can't remember, convinced me to get the cake, sing happy birthday, and not let this evil block out all the other good and beauty in our lives.

I am proud of this nation's resilience, its heart and its people.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Ginger on September 11, 2009 at 01:56 PM EDT

Andy, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am sure this is a very difficult day for the family and friends who lost loved ones that day. Our hearts go out to them.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Ginger on September 11, 2009 at 01:59 PM EDT

Ruth K. I am glad you did celebrate your daughter's birthday. That must have been difficult given all of the sadness and drama going on.

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blue comment bubble Posted by yvette on September 11, 2009 at 02:26 PM EDT

I was preparing to move to New York when 911 happened it was very scary with the talk of terriost in New York. I almost didn't go. But I moved anyway when I went there churches was having special afternoon prayer and really pulling the communities together. I witness a lot of love and reaching out to people going on like never before. The tragedy did pull the country closer together I believe.

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