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September 11, 2001 Is a Day to be Remembered
Remembering September
11th, 2001 shouldn't be an issue anywhere.
Acts of terrorism should not be condoned,
they should be condemned, and the families,
friends and relatives of those who perished
should know that there are people out there
working to preserve this memory, working
hard so that we don't forget those who
perished and the circumstances of their
deaths so that we learn from the atrocities
that cause these deaths. To remember 9/11 is
to evoke memories of all those men and women
who went to work on a clear, seemingly
innocent fall day, never to return to see
their families again, or even to see their
children grow up.
In the same way we pay homage on Memorial
Day and Veterans Day to those who died in
service to their country, we should pay
homage to those who sacrificed their lives,
needlessly, as they went to work, minding
their own business, in a war declared on
Americans that we did not ask for or want.
Every time a memorial ceremony is viewed and
the names of those lost are spoken, the
memories kick in for those left behind, and
the scars and heartache are once again
inflamed. There are those in this country
who did not suffer the loss of a loved one,
and once they moved past the freshness of
the event, lost their sensitivity to the
victims of 9/11. What needs to be reminded
to many nine years later, is that where
there is unity, there is strength.
2,750 death certificates were filed as a
result of the horrendous attacks carried out
on 9/11. New York City's history of over 350
years as a monument to free trade,
productivity, and acceptance of immigration
merits consideration for the metropolis as
one of the world's most spectacular cities.
Noted for its material prosperity, job
seekers from across the globe migrate to the
city to find the American Dream, to find
freedom and prosperity. It is the commercial
center of the United States, perhaps the
world, and the heart of American
advertising, fashion, publishing, and media.
New York is clearly not one of the natural
wonders of the world, but it is perhaps the
man made wonder of the world. Millions visit
the city each year to see what humans, not
nature, can achieve.
A perfect example of this was the creation
of the World Trade Center complex. Plans for
constructing the WTC were unveiled by chief
architect Minoru Yamasaki in 1964, proposing
that nearly 15 million square feet of
construction were to be distributed among
seven buildings. Groundbreaking for the
construction of the WTC took place on August
5, 1966.The construction of the twin towers,
1368 and 1362 feet, 110 stories high, were
at the time the tallest skyscrapers in the
world. Upon completion, the total cost to
the Port Authority was approximately $900
million. The World Trade Center complex,
including the Twin Towers and four other
buildings, were officially opened on April
4, 1973.The Twin Towers, situated in lower
Manhattan's business sector, was home to
nearly 50,000 employees, attracting more or
less 20,000 visitors a day. It offered a
stunning view of perhaps the world's busiest
city until that catastrophic day on
September 11, 2001 when terrifying pillars
of black and silver and smoke obscured the
city’s character. 2,750 people including 343
of New York City's brave emergency workers
perished.
It was a clear, sunny morning when the sky
was suddenly engulfed by a sinister darkness
caused by the ominous columns of fire and
heated gas filling the sky over lower
Manhattan. Horrified spectators watched in
disbelief as two hijacked commercial
airliners crashed into the Twin Towers of
the World Trade Center. The swift crashes
exploded into colossal fireballs releasing
large amounts of blazing jet fuel, engulfing
both towers in a fiery inferno, killing all
aboard as well as many innocent workers and
visitors inside the towers. The fire raged
uncontrolled throughout the skyscraper's
maze of hallways and stairwells. Terrified
and trapped by fire and smoke, at least 200
people jumped to a violent death rather than
be burned to death. Within two hours, from
the intense heat causing extensive weakness
in the structure, both towers collapsed,
crushing floors and victims, throwing mighty
clouds of debris considerable distances.
September 11, 2001 is an unforgettable day
in the history of the United States, and
will be forever etched in the heart and
memory of patriotic Americans. It was the
day that Three hundred and Forty three
members of New York City's Fire Department
perished in their attempt to rescue those
trapped in the devastating flames of the
World Trade Center in Manhattan. These brave
firefighters risked their own personal
safety as they advanced toward the burning
buildings, rushing up stairwells filled with
smoke and jet fuel, with no regard for their
own safety. The number of fallen
firefighters was staggering. Entire
companies were destroyed. These were humans
of all educational levels and ethnic
backgrounds, many with families, dedicated
to their intense love of saving lives. The
pain, the suffering, the anxiety, and the
cries of anguish of those they left behind
was and is inconsolable. The emotional
disturbance of those left behind was
overwhelming as rescuers desperately sifted
through the horrifying twisted wreckage of
steel and cement. September 11th was a
horrific tragedy that initiated countless
acts of kindness and unity out of concern
and anguish for all those affected by the
attacks on the twin towers. It was a tragedy
of historic proportions that prompted the
response of 343 heroic fire-fighters who
gave their lives so that others might live.
Although nine years have since passed, for
many the vivid memories are still fresh
wounds. By remembering, perhaps Americans
who have forgotten the freshness of this
attack can help soothe the wounds of those
still in mourning because of this tragedy.
And perhaps they can remember how they felt
that crisp clear morning that was forever
ruined by a horrendous act of unprovoked
violence, so that America itself will never
forget why those 343 heroic firefighters
aren't here today.
May these brave fallen heroes of 9/11 be
forever remembered in our hearts.
Fallen Firefighters: New York City's
Finest
May these innocent
victims be forever in our prayers
List of victims who perished by name
September 11, 2001 is a day that will always
be remembered around the world, as countries
share with America the misfortune of this
horrendous tragedy that took thousands of
innocent lives. Numerous permanent memorials
initiated throughout the world still
document universal sensitivity to the
American people by declaring their
unwillingness to condone these repulsive
acts of violence. These memorials are a
tribute to the innocent victims and heroes
of 9/11. Since September 11, 2001, the City
of Brusciano has shared their sentiments
with America, presenting a floral bouquet
with silent prayers at "Piazza XI Settembre
“ in memory of the victims and in honor of
bringing peace in the world. The
historybox.com has dedicated a specific page
to Brusciano, Italy, several images of 9/11
and a short story by Miriam Medina
"September 11, 2001 is a Day to be
Remembered," with links to the names of
those who perished in memory and in
concordance with the 9th anniversary of this
devastating, world changing tragedy. This
page can be accessed at: (http://thehistorybox.com/ny_city/brusciano_italy_remembers_victims_9-11_nycity.htm).
Miriam
Medina
Photo
Credit.
http://www.carefulthought.com/images-of-9-11-2?nggpage=3 |
