Today is a day that most people in America are commemorating, because it is the tenth anniversary of the devastating and destructive attacks on the World Trade Center Twin Towers. There were people from over 100 nations that lost their lives during this attack, and therefore there are many around the world who are also caught up in the memories that this day brings forth. The events of 11 September 2001 will forever be etched in the annals of history and in the minds of the citizens of the world.
I was not in the United States on this beautiful September morning when the skies of New York City changed in an instant from blue to black, gray, and white. I was in Switzerland at the time and was oblivious to the events until a friend showed me the news on the television. I remember looking at the footage of the the planes flying into the towers and the swift and awful collapse of each one. I almost could not believe what I was watching. It was as if we had turned on a movie starring Bruce Willis or some other actor whose movies have more explosions than dialogue. After the initial shock and the wiping of tears, I was surprised how personally attacked I felt. I am not aware of having lost anyone whom I knew personally in this tragedy, but these events transcended the microcosms of our everyday lives and brought us into a far larger family of nation. Every soul lost was not just someone's son, daughter, father, mother, husband or wife, but they instantly became the faces of our own friends and families. We were brought together as a nation, because we faced such an unthinkable disaster together.
Many heroes showed their faces that day and not all of them survived, because they were willing to put the safety and security of others before themselves. I unfortunately cannot write from a firsthand perspective about how 9/11 and the endless stories of heroism helped to unite our country, but I heard from my family and friends that there was a definite change. People were nicer to each other and willing to express their love for each other more easily. These are the things that I hope we remember and never forget about 11 September 2001.
Lamentably, the initial effects of 9/11 have not endured for 10 years on a national scale. I'm sure there are individuals who have changed the course of their lives and become kinder, more selfless and service oriented. There was, however, the potential for us all to move into a new era of American camaraderie, mutual respect and trust; but instead we have become divisive, intolerant, and suspicious. We have become a nation of blamers and victims expecting others to fix all of our problems because it is "owed" to us. Instead of facing our troubles head on with the help of those around us, like was briefly displayed on 9/11, we feel the hands we are dealt in life are unfair and that we are entitled to something more without doing anything to achieve it.
It is time that we truly honor those who were lost by locating our will, tenacity, and integrity from amidst the hyperbolic rubble under which we have allowed it all to be buried. It is time that we stop pointing fingers at those whom we blame for the hardships that we face and work to rise out of the ashes. It is time that we find within ourselves the ability and capacity to open our hearts to everyone and to extend the hand of brotherhood/sisterhood and fellowship. We live in a great country, but we are tearing it apart with our bickering, derogatory words and actions, and our intolerance. 11 September 2001 demonstrated that we have the capacity to rise above all odds and now is the time to prove it. Let's all take up the banner to help those around us regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and age. Let's come together to ensure a brighter future and truly honor the lives of those we lost!
I was not in the United States on this beautiful September morning when the skies of New York City changed in an instant from blue to black, gray, and white. I was in Switzerland at the time and was oblivious to the events until a friend showed me the news on the television. I remember looking at the footage of the the planes flying into the towers and the swift and awful collapse of each one. I almost could not believe what I was watching. It was as if we had turned on a movie starring Bruce Willis or some other actor whose movies have more explosions than dialogue. After the initial shock and the wiping of tears, I was surprised how personally attacked I felt. I am not aware of having lost anyone whom I knew personally in this tragedy, but these events transcended the microcosms of our everyday lives and brought us into a far larger family of nation. Every soul lost was not just someone's son, daughter, father, mother, husband or wife, but they instantly became the faces of our own friends and families. We were brought together as a nation, because we faced such an unthinkable disaster together.
Many heroes showed their faces that day and not all of them survived, because they were willing to put the safety and security of others before themselves. I unfortunately cannot write from a firsthand perspective about how 9/11 and the endless stories of heroism helped to unite our country, but I heard from my family and friends that there was a definite change. People were nicer to each other and willing to express their love for each other more easily. These are the things that I hope we remember and never forget about 11 September 2001.
Lamentably, the initial effects of 9/11 have not endured for 10 years on a national scale. I'm sure there are individuals who have changed the course of their lives and become kinder, more selfless and service oriented. There was, however, the potential for us all to move into a new era of American camaraderie, mutual respect and trust; but instead we have become divisive, intolerant, and suspicious. We have become a nation of blamers and victims expecting others to fix all of our problems because it is "owed" to us. Instead of facing our troubles head on with the help of those around us, like was briefly displayed on 9/11, we feel the hands we are dealt in life are unfair and that we are entitled to something more without doing anything to achieve it.
It is time that we truly honor those who were lost by locating our will, tenacity, and integrity from amidst the hyperbolic rubble under which we have allowed it all to be buried. It is time that we stop pointing fingers at those whom we blame for the hardships that we face and work to rise out of the ashes. It is time that we find within ourselves the ability and capacity to open our hearts to everyone and to extend the hand of brotherhood/sisterhood and fellowship. We live in a great country, but we are tearing it apart with our bickering, derogatory words and actions, and our intolerance. 11 September 2001 demonstrated that we have the capacity to rise above all odds and now is the time to prove it. Let's all take up the banner to help those around us regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and age. Let's come together to ensure a brighter future and truly honor the lives of those we lost!
