To the people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, no ethnic identifiers are required. They were simply, Americans.
As daybreak loomed over the terrain; a volley of fire and smoke shattered the serenity of the United States, and when it was over, Americans were blasted from their security blankets, confused and shaken to the core .
For 48 hours disbelief hung in the air, as fear rotated between the earth and moon. And in the billowing smoke surrounded by flames swaying gingerly in their tower of horror, Americans recoiled in terror as the World Trade Center was reduced to rubble.
As the debauchery unfolded, the Statue of Liberty must have blinked her eyes in astonishment as death and debris rained down on the huddled masses. Thousands watched from below as people jumped to their death. Many turned away, traumatized, while others looked on, anguish etched on their faces. Tears for America. Fear for loved ones. Madness unlike any we’ve experienced before. But how could this happen? How did this seemingly unbelievable nightmare come to past?
The Horrific Assault began on September 11 at 8:45 a.m. and went into high gear 20 minutes later, when a second plane torpedoed the massive building. And the terror continued, as a third plane crashed into the Pentagon, followed by a fourth crash in West Pennsylvania. The next day, newspapers hit the stands with the front page headlines: “U.S. Attacked," “A New Day of Infamy," and so it went.
In recalling this “Day of Infamy," we remember the images; searing pictures embedded in our psyche. The first snapshot is the plane plowing fearlessly through the north tower of the World Trade Center. We imagine the horror the victims must have felt. Stunned and paralyzed with fear, subsequently they are told by a voice over a loud speaker to “Stay where you are. This is a secure area." Then comes the second plane, and the scene fades to horror unlike no other. And who could forget the couple who plummeted to their death? With the searing heat moving closer and closer, what thoughts went through their mind as they clasped hands and plunged to the pavement?
Did they pray? Did they cry? Did thoughts of love ones penetrate their brain as death reared its ugly head? And what about the heroes? Fire fighters and police officers who lost their lives trying to save others. It has been estimated that over 20 police officers perished, along with 343 firefighters. And then there were the civilians who gave blood, whispered words of encouragement and massaged wounded limbs, mutilated and splattered with blood.
In terms of human life the cost is difficult to estimate. According to sources the actual number of people killed is estimated at 2,974. As for the World Trade Center, can it be restored to its original grandeur, or will it remain a shrine to those who lost their lives? No one knows. But one thing is certain, it now belongs to the ages.
Emotionally, this blatant act of terrorism changed us. But the question is, how much? When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor it was noted that we would never be the same. The same was said about the Kennedy Assassination 22 years later. And now this. Oh sure we will recover and move on. But we can no longer take it for granted that America is the safe haven we assumed it was before September 11, 2001.
What happened to our innocence? Our desire to be safe in the sky and in the workplace? I don’t know. But as the country looks toward healing, our hearts are filled with pain. But even in the midst of tragedy we look toward hope, that shining harpoon that keeps us going in times of adversity. And so it is only fitting that I end this editorial with the simple statement, GOD BLESS AMERICA, MY HOME SWEET HOME.
» left by Peggy Butler(2,887) Peggy Butler (355 days 15 hours ago.)
Thank you for your comments. Originally, I wrote this article 10 hours after 9/11 took place, and with the exception of putting in the number of firefighters and policemen, killed, the article remains intact.
Funny, isn't it, it's now 6 years later, and for some, 9/11 is just a faded memory. But I maintain, we must never forget that date, because to do is is to forget the thousands of people who died.
» left by Judi Lake(2,244) Judi Lake (356 days 1 hour ago.)
Yes, Peggy, we did pray, cry and wait. Peggy, being right there at the time as a New Yorker, I still am haunted and found your article difficult to read. Too many friends perished and things as we once knew it had changed forever. This was a good article, Peggy and your opening line is correct: "...no ethnic identifiers are required. They were simply, Americans..." -- May we all stand together, strong as AMERICANS in solidarity and hope. Respond to this comment
Because you are a New Yorker, I am sure the article was difficult to read. And to be honest with you, I would not like to be reminded of that date. Unfortunately, 9/11 will live on as one of America's tragedies. But hopefully, it will never happen again.
» left by Peggy Butler(2,887) Peggy Butler (353 days 21 hours ago.)
Greetings in the name of world peace Creative Blogger:
First, let me say thank you for your encouraging comment regarding my article. Secondly, in using the phrase “What happened to our innocence”, I also use that term when I refer to the Kennedy Assassination and the Oklahoma City Bombing. It means a time where peace reign supreme, people were not animals and human life meant something. It was also a time when people were more honest and caring. A time when the world was not fraught with hate and evil.
By the way I love your code name, Creative Blogger, that is a sign of originality.
» left by Anonymous (353 days 20 hours ago.)
Thankyou Peggy for bringing your thoughts to us, on this tragedy. We talk of this tragedy as one of biblical proportions, but in a global view it is miniscule Just as an example, approximately 28000 children die each day in this world from starvation and disease alone. If we added up all the numbers from mankinds wise decisions the numbers are staggering. It seems that the small world of the media is what makes tragedies bigger than life, I do not wish to give the impression that this event is a small thing, but I believe we must look at the whole to see the true cost of mankinds history. I remember in school history was boring, but it did teach something, and that was, to learn from our mistakes. As a whole, with each individual making a choice based on truth we can make a difference. Our religions, our thoughts, our human character needs to be based on truth, know the truth and the truth will make you free. Who has the power to change things, not mankind, but Jesus Christ. We have been give free will by our creator, choose life, choose death, we choose everyday. If history will show us anything it will be that mankind is incapable by his own will, government, religion, ect to change their inner character without God. I believe we must recognize the true enemy, it is not flesh and blood but spiritual powers in high places that are at work to destroy all that is good. I believe that we must realise that we are all wrong and need to humble ourselves before the creator, religion put aside. Do we actually believe that the creator is not in control of the future, has he not given us what we desired, which is to rule our own detiny, even though it takes us to the brink of destruction world wide. The best lesson is one lived and taught in love, even though it is painfull. We have freedom of choice and nothing is ever said that says we cannot change future events, even though people would have us believe we are headed to armageddon. Everyone is a part of the whole, but it must be well rooted in Jesus Christ to be truly lasting. Let's focus on love and let God Fight our battles, like he did in past history. We must seek his wisdom and guidance into the futrue if things are to change. John Lennon was right when when he sang "no religion to", but we must remember he didn't sing "no God, no Jesus Christ." I am reminded of a wise saying that is in front of my eyes everyday which says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life" It is so simple but our ways complicate the simplicity of Jesus Christ, he is the only way to a real lasting solution to the horrors of this world.
» left by Peggy Butler(2,887) Peggy Butler (353 days 19 hours ago.)
Hi: For those directly affected by 9/11, (the familes, the people who experienced it first hand, and the state of New York), this tragedy will forever remain with them. As for the rest of us, we want to convey our feelings, in lieu of the 6th anniversary.
As for your overall comments, I have only one word to say, AMEN. Best Wishes and Continous Success Respond to this comment
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