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.
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).
