A Time to Heal

Tuesday marks the eleventh anniversary of the savage and senseless murders of 2,983 innocent men, women, and children from more than 90 nations in New York City, Washington DC and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  It was the day that time stood still as we were all in shock at what unfolded on TV and for many, in their own neighborhoods.   

Photo by CNN

Although we must never forget the horror of that day and how our sense of security was shaken, today I want to talk about healing.

Photo by Squared Design Lab

In July, we visited New York City and the National September 11 Memorial, which honors those who fell prey to evil in all three cities on September 11, 2001, as well as those who died as the result of the February 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.
 

First, we entered a small building where we picked up our tickets.  The building also houses some relics from the World Trade Center and offers memorabilia for purchase. 

This fiberglass replica of Lady Liberty stood outside an FDNY fire station and was adorned by tributes including a pair of United Airline wings.

These two displays honor the volunteers and the police officers who rushed to the site to rescue survivors and recover victims.

From this temporary museum, we moved on to visit the memorial.  After extensive security screening, and weaving back and forth through a maze, the path opens up to the memorial itself.

At first glance, it appears to be a simple inner city park...until I walked a little further to find the South Pool.  The memorial includes two pools that serve as footprints of the Twin Towers that once stood here.  

 
Although I expected this to be a solemn experience, nothing prepared me for the rush of emotions I experienced as tears streamed down my cheeks.  There is a palpable energy, on these hallowed grounds, greater than anything I have ever known.  

As I ran my hand over the names engraved on the memorial, like Vernon Paul Cherry and Ssu-Hui Wen, I thought about those who felt that jumping from a skyscraper window was a better alternative than what they were experiencing in those burning buildings.  These were people who were trying to make a living to support their families; who loved and were loved; who were just like you and me.

After spending some time reflecting on what was and what will be, we visited a second temporary museum.  There was a moving video and more relics from the Towers displayed.  

On exhibit, is a firefighter's helmet covered in dust and debris from the Towers and a man's very personal effects, which included his wallet, ID, and wedding band.   

Please take a moment this week to remember those who were murdered, assaulted, or left to mourn loved ones eleven years ago.  If you pass upon a police officer or firefighter, thank them for doing what they do best: serve and protect.
    

My heroes: Lt. BJ Gruber and Firefighter Jason Gruber

  

 

The Day Time Stood Still: 9/11

Today, please stop a moment to remember those who had their lives taken on this date in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Do you remember the moment
you heard a plane had crashed into
one of the World Trade Center towers?

Earlier that morning, I had viewed New York City on a live online video-cam. The camera was focused on Lady Liberty with the Twin Towers gleaming behind her. It was such a beautiful day in NYC.

Within minutes, a co-worker came by and said a plane crashed into one of the World Trade Center Towers. I immediately pulled up the video-cam; it was blank. Still, I assumed it was an accident involving a small plane, perhaps a tourist helicopter....little did I know. Next, came the reports of another plane flying into the second tower, an attack on the Pentagon, and an accounted for plane thought to be heading for the White House. It was so surreal, as if time stood still.

Our company's CEO walked down to our department manager and instructed him to allow us to go home. No one knew just how extensive the senseless attacks were going to be and he wanted us to be safely at home with our families.

I arrived at home just as the first tower collapsed. I fell into a chair bawling uncontrollably. How could this happen?

All these years later, I get the same sick feeling in my stomach every time I think about seeing the World Trade Center's Twin Towers collapsing into a pile of rubble; hearing reports of the attack on the Pentagon, the speculation that the White House would be the next target, and finally, the reports of the downed plane in Pennsylvania.

Please remember the innocent airline passengers, building occupants and the brave first responders (police, fire, port authority) who lost their lives and the loved ones who miss them.

• American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into World Trade Center's North Tower, 8:46 AM
• United Airlines Flight 175 flew into World Trade Center's South Tower, 9:03 AM
• American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon, 9:37 AM
• United Airlines Flight 93, headed for an attack on the White House, crashed in a rural Pennsylvania field after the passengers fought back.

I will never forget these events, nor do I want to.

Stars and Stripes Forever

Take a moment today to reflect on how lucky we are to live where we have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Happy Birthday, America!