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Remembering Nine Eleven
Unforgettable Mourning
I remember the day clearly as it was a picture-perfect day that day. There were no clouds in the sky which was a pane of unblemished blue. The temperature was somewhere between high-sixties and low-seventies and on that particular day; there was barely a cold breeze to remind you that winter was only right around the corner. It was the kind of day you’d normally want to savor and enjoy by playing fetch with your dog or holding hands with the person that you love at a nearby park or perhaps right there on my college’s concourse. But not on that day, as there was nothing to celebrate if you were an American, a New Yorker, or a human being. Something was clearly wrong, because in the distance of only ninety miles or so south of my college campus, the sky was undoubtedly falling.
I'd just gotten out of my early English Literature class at the time, which was precisely at 9:15, when I first caught wind of the fact that two airplanes had crashed into the World Trade Center. The first plane that hit the North Tower could’ve well been a freak accident, but when the second airplane hit, the probability of it being a mere accident was thrown out the window because all around me, college students were scattered and running in all different directions while on their cell phones desperately trying to get an answer or hear a familiar voice or some reassurance that everything was going to be okay, that things were going to be all right:
“Mom? Did you hear from dad? Oh my God, mom! Is he still inside?”
Students rush passed me and were filing inside one of the larger lecture halls that was equipped with a projection-screen television. Students and faculty alike were horror-stricken while watching live footage of the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center engulfed in flames and smoke. There was an uncomfortable silence as I stood watching the shock and confusion of what was taking place right before my eyes. It was too horrible to not be real.
“All other classes will be canceled today,” one of the professors announced inside the lecture hall. His voice was shaky and his eyes were distant and every one of us there had turned to look at him when he spoke. He then slowly turned and left the room.
“I can’t believe this is happening!” a girl said. The guy who was sitting next to her then turned and put his arms around her to console her as she began to sob. A couple of people in the room began crying. Many of the people were covering their mouths to suppress their emotions. Due to the fact that it was uncomfortable for me to stay in the lecture hall, I turned and left the room.
A Tribute To Heroes
Upon walking out, I’d completely forgotten what I had to do that day. I originally had a class at 5:30 that evening, but of course that class was canceled along with every other class that day. A part of me felt lucky that none of my friends or family worked or worked near what would become Ground Zero. Another part of me felt guilty that I felt this way. I silently wished that all the students and faculty there at my college (who by then were in danger of losing a loved one) to find some sort of closure so as to relieve them of the anxiety they were feeling. I didn’t know what I would've done were it me under the very same circumstances. I ventured to guess that I would be anything but calm.
I looked up at the sky that was a serene blue and felt the warming rays of the sun and shook my head.
It was joke that wasn’t at all funny and indeed in
bad taste: How could such a tragedy befall us on such a beautiful day? While thinking about this, my peers were evacuating in different
directions to get to their cars. I stood watching as an ache began to spread from my heart to my throat.
There was nothing that I could do.
There was no way that I could help, because as soon as the second plane
hit the South Tower I knew--along with everyone else around me--that we were being
attacked and that this was no mere accident in any stretch of the imagination. We were now at war and in this age where just
about every developed country had nuclear capabilities, I feared that this was the beginning of the end. I thought about the lives
that this would affect, about the innocent being slain, about the many young
soldiers that would be now be sent to war in response to such a vicious attack
to die for our cause, because a Superpower such as the United States would not
allow this to occur without taking action, as it was too proud and too powerful not to.
More blood needed to spilled to even up the score that was thus far:
Terrorists 1, Americans O. It pained me
to think this and really did feel that we were on the cusp of Global
Annihilation. There will be much more
suffering to come.
“Nothing good will come out of this,” I said out loud and to no one in particular.
In Memorandum
My history professor once told me that in war, “Truth is the
first casualty.” I believed this
wholeheartedly when first he told me this so many years ago, believed it soon
after the attacks of 9/11 and believe it still while writing this. There are still many questions that loom
about the events of that unforgettable day, but what will never change is the
fact that many lives were destroyed that day, including men and women with
families—policeman, fireman, soldiers, civilians...Perhaps more lives will
continue to be lost in response to the attacks.
Some of the questions that I have to ask are, “Can all of this pain and
suffering be avoided? Could so many
beautiful lives been spared? Is there no
end to the threat of terrorism?” All of
us need to wake up to this dark reality and realize that we can’t believe
everything we see or hear. The stirring
in my heart tells me that things aren’t what they seem. The attacks of September Eleventh will never
be forgotten by me nor many others. It
will be a day that will remind me just how cruel this world can be when it is
at its very worse. And in response to these attacks, September Eleventh proved to me how America can come together in one patriotic voice and call itself a proud nation without fear. My only wish is for peace and for the bloodshed to finally end.
No, I won't never forget.
2001 A Tribute To Heroes Concert
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Is that you in that taildragger? And will I get a tkodeawn notice from the copyright holder on those pics?Gunny Yes and No respectively I know the photographer. He is happy as long as his copyright is displayed. 0
WOW!!! This is bringing back miormees and bringing the last 2yrs around in full circle for us. We cannot wait for the SICK SICK SICK images that are coming our way in 15 days!Love you bothXo
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Thank you, habee. I won't ever forget this event for as long as I live. I appreciate your comment.
This brought tears to my eyes and gave me goosebumps. You eloquently penned the sentiments of all Americans, I think.
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Thank you, Boston's First. I really appreciate it and like you, I hope that more people read this.
I hope this helps people remember. This was an outstanding hub.
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Thank you for visiting Patty. I appreciate it very much. And yes, I will. They paid the ultimate price for us and should be recognize and commended for their selfless efforts.
This is an appropriate tribute to our protective services and armed services on Veteran's Day and Rememberance Day tomorrow. I hope everyone speaks to a service person somewhere tommorrow - no matter what country - and thanks them for risking their lives every day.
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Sorry about that, buddy.
dohn not my brother .. my cousin . .1st cousin . . my moms brothers son.
as for you .. i too KNOW I have found friend in you. .
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I appreciate your reading me, sukera143. I'm sorry if I upset you.
You too, wavegirl22. "Truth is the first casualty," is a paradox. There is much that we don't know about the inner workings of government and media, so we can only surmise with the information that is inherently available to us. I hope that you feel better. Thank you for commenting and reading me.
Oh my gosh, I just read the addition to you comment. I'm sorry for your brother. Life can be both beautiful and cruel. My father always told me that everything can end at the blink of an eye and for me to live life like I'm on my last breath. Although I wasn't born in New York, it's the only place I remember as I lived there for as long as I can remember. I love its people, its teams and its music and as soon as I can, I will move back there--most likely Westchester. Thank you so much. I believe I've found a friend in you.
"Truth is the first casualty" how I never realized that before and I find myself at the moment thinking how basic how true . . I love your writing my friend . . dont know why but Im having a melancholy day today Could it be the Jets dismiss last night, nah I the Jets are the Jets and all I can say is go Blu!
Anyway back to the topic at hand, you see I lost my cousin Peter that day. He worked for Cantor FiItzgerald. He was 35 and newly married. It was all coming together for him.
'Truth is the first casualty' and I will always remember that just as I will always remember Peter,
And I just had to tell you that his was one extraordinaty hub my friend. You have an amazing way of putting your thoughts together that I just love to read what you have to say. Add to that I like your picks in teams and I like your picks in music. Billy is one of my favorites. Exceptional Hub for an Exceptional man.
too upseting
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Your welcome, Song-Bird. I come from a strong culture that honor our loved ones, as we were Animists for a long time before converting to Buddhism a millennium ago. Although I don't know any of the people that lost their lives, I share in the tragedy and send my prayers to the survivors of those whose lives were lost.
I have yet to see Ground Zero and have been reluctant to, mainly due the reaction I fear I'll have as you've described. Thank you for reading this.
Thank you for such a well written remembrance. I have been to the site a few times since that day and it really shakes me up. It was such an awful day that I will never forget.
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Hi, Marco. Thank you so much for commenting. This was quite a harrowing atrocity that I wish no one had to witness. You and I experienced the same thing as I too was glued to my set for the better part of the next 10 days. I just didn't want to miss out on the news flash that we really were going to go to war. Nine Eleven was certainly a wake-up call to many of us. I half believed that there was going to be a draft for those of age to fight terrorism. Thank you for reading this.
In Australia, I was glued to the TV. We were getting a live feed from CNN across pretty much all the free to air networks. When the second plane hit, I couldn't believe it. There was no longer any doubt it could have been an accident. Then the first tower fell. Then the second. I really thought I was witnessing the start of World War 3. Great hub.
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It certainly did, "J." I'll never forget the horror-stricken look on people's faces as they rushed helplessly to their cars when the attacks happened. I just hope that all of us can find peace. Thank you for that :)
What a beautiful memorial and thank you for sharing with us how you felt that particular day, I see that it effected you tremendously and will forever be etched in your mind and heart. :)
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Hello, Ladybird33. I hope that none of us ever makes the mistake of forgetting this day. I know that I won't and neither will you. Thank you for commenting.
Dohn, OMG, what a great, great hub, emotional and so much insight, thank you for sharing to all. A very sad day and I remember every detail of that day. So sad
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Thank you for that, Samantha. One day I'm going to have to tell my kids about it. I also remember the Challenger explosion almost 25 years ago. That was very sad, but was in a way, a little easier to accept. I appreciate your comment.
I think everyone remembers where they were when they heard the news of that first plane crash. I know I remember and I will not forget.
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Hey, Captain. Thank you for reading this. It was definitely tough for me to take in when Nine Eleven occurred, being a New Yorker practically my entire life. I hope that no people in any city ever goes through something even remotely like this.
Thank you again, Captain. I always am appreciative of your comments.
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I really do have a problem accepting loss. Thank you, Helen for that. You are definitely not alone.
I did visit it a year later and was chilled to the bone. I don't think I would go again as it was too upsetting.
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Thank you for reading this, Helen. When after this occurred, I wanted so much to visit Ground Zero but just missed out :( The truth was that it was tough for me to go out there...It was just awful.
I watched a programme at home for two hours and cried all the way through. Stll just as tough to think about this day. R.I.P
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Perhaps it was chance that enabled me to finally see the World Trade Center only 6 months before Nine-Eleven. Sadly, I remember reaching the very top with my family and their were several signs that welcomed me to "The Top of the World."
Thanks for your comment, loveofnight. Perhaps you can visit the memorial/new WTC when it's completed.
i have always wished that i had seen the towers before they were destroyed.it's funny how we can be so close to a thing and never take the time to look until it is too late.
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Thank you Lgali. None of us should ever have to suffer through this ever again. I appreciate your reading this.
very nice article. I want this thing never happen again
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Thank you for your comment, steffsings. I'm touched by your words.
I am in awe, I can only say thank you for this insightful and well written post. A great tribute.
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wannabwestern--Thank you so much for that wannabwestern. Your daughter's birthday won't ever be forgotten by anyone, as it is certainly a day of remembrance and mere coincidence. It certainly will be a day that is bittersweet in your family. I take it then that she just celebrated her 12th birthday, so happy birthday to her.
For whatever event happens in my life and in the lives of others, I always tell myself that everything indeed does happen for a reason, whether or not we know what that reason is. I thank you for sharing your thoughts on the matter. I hope none of us will ever have to relive anything like nine eleven ever again.
cosette--Thank you for commenting, cosette. It was certainly profound that just about everyone in America came together as one when Nine-Eleven occurred. I remember too the general mood of everyone after that day, as if everyone else's thoughts were elsewhere while the world did its best to carry on with its lives. I appreciate your kind words.
andromida--Thank you so much for commenting. I'll never forget your hub about nine eleven. It certainly confirmed some of my biggest fears about what did occur that unforgettable day. I'll always remember how powerless I felt that day, but celebrated in the fact that we as a people have the power to love as well. I hope that we will always will be reminded of this. Thank you.
When I first saw the 9-11 incidents on CNN, I could not believe than something like that magnitude would ever happen .9-11 will remain unforgettable as long as we live and I wish my best to the victims and their families.Though we can not change the tragedy of 9-11, we have the power to make sure post 9-11 world is much more safer than ever.Thanks dohn for such a wonderful nine eleven remembering hub.
wow. we all did come together during that time, didn't we? your hub has really made me pause and reflect on that fact. it took a long time to get over that...for days and days, the tv was always on, and they were always talking about it, and we were riveted. everywhere people were driving with flags and ribbons on their cars and flags were on almost every house in the neighborhood. and this is many hundreds of miles away from NYC. this has to be one of the most stirring pieces written about that day. thank you for helping us remember. bless you. -m
Thank you for this tribute to a day we should all remember. Personally I struggle with this day each year. It is my daughter's birthday, and for that reason we strive to make it a day for celebration. She was four years old on the day of the crashes. My strongest memory is driving from one mall to another, hoping to find one that was open so we could take our birthday girl in to ride a carousel. The emptied out parking lots were ghostly and disturbing.
After all that happened, I am glad that this day has been designated Remembrance Day, but also proud to see Americans carrying on their lives. 9-11 was our modern day Pearl Harbor. It is unlikely anyone who experienced that day will ever forget it.
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Thank you for commenting, readytoscape. I appreciate your opinion. I don't believe that your comment was too lengthy but quite insightful. Franklin D. Roosevelt himself said that in politics (forgive my paraphrasing) nothing is coincidental. I believe that there is more than meets the eye. As I've said, many questions still loom. My intention of suggesting this is not to strike fear into the hearts of readers, but for them themselves to search out the truth and to not be content with the information brought forth to all of us, via mass media, whose bias views are geared to condition our mode of thinking. To do so is to dishonor those who have fallen and those who are still to this day, dying in the name of orchestrated justice. As a people, we have to stand together. Otherwise, we've already lost.
I thank you for your comment and look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Dohn121,
I was going to respond to this as soon as I read it but I needed to consider it for a while. As a matter of fact I reread it multiple times, your hub is beautifully expressed and presented. One phrase in the final paragraph struck me as an oddity in the piece and I decided to reflect and research the context, because this quote, and your reaction to it, changed the final tone of your hub, “Truth is the first casualty of war.” I apologize for the length of the comment but the quote has multiple meanings and significant distortions attributed to it.
This phrase, now often used in the media and by the anti-war movement has been attributed to the modern uses by both author Arthur Ponsonby in "Falsehood in Wartime" (1928) and US Senator Hiram Johnson, an isolationist, in a 1918 speech during World War One. These quotes by both men may have been applied out of context and apparently adapted from Samuel Johnson, author of “The Idler.”
"The Idler" was a series of 103 essays by Johnson printed in London’s weekly “Universal Chronicler” widely believed to have been printed solely for the purpose of popularizing Johnson’s writings. Essay #30 titled “Corruption of News-writers” printed 11/11/1758, includes the sentence, "...among the calamities of war may be jointly numbered the diminution of the love of truth, by the falsehoods which interest dictates and credulity encourages." Johnson was describing the less than virtuous skills of the era’s press and perhaps marking the beginning of sensationalism, also writing "contempt of shame and indifference to truth", lamenting fact that wartime offers the perfect opportunity for such abuses.
While uncorroborated, Johnson and the others, may have adapted "All warfare is based on deception" contained within “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu (544–496 BC), for their own political, literary and/or intellectual goals. Sun Tzu is referring to the tactics of subterfuge in war. He further to clarifies, "Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near." Sun Tzu is clearly describing military strategy.
More likely however, the current adaptation in academia and its implied meaning can be accredited to the first corroborated citation of the phrase, almost verbatim "In war, truth is the first casualty," attributed to Greek writer/poet Aeschylus (525BC - 456BC) in his play “Agamemnon.” Perhaps the best interpretation of the line of the play, in context with the plot, is by Eleanor Wilner, published Poetry Magazine, October, 2004, “There is no enemy: simply the ambition of Agamemnon, the lust of Paris, the wrath of Achilles, the laughter of the gods, the tragedy of war in which are hurled in their multitudes to the house of Hades strong souls of heroes.”
The danger in total belief of your professor’s apparent use of the quote from Aeschylus is the assumption that all war, like that of Agamemnon’s destruction of Troy, is for selfish purpose. And in that assumption there is grave error and imminent misfortune of judgment by limiting the decisional paradigm. Any consideration that the depraved murder of 2976 people from 90 different nations was for any of purpose other than the egomaniacal cause of the terrorists is beyond irrationality. Not that you have subscribed to it here. Your candid hopes as written in your closing statement are admirable words. Sadly and apparently this concept is held by too few and has been easily forgotten. Consider the validity of President Ronald Reagan’s words in comparison to your professor, when the President said, “You and I have the courage to say to our enemies, 'There is a price we will not pay.' There is a point beyond which they must not advance. This is the meaning of the phrase 'Peace through strength.” Reagan’s words clearly outline the archetype of our deliberations and motivations. And unfortunately this is what many have forgotten, ignored or denied with the memory of 9/11.
Again I apologize for the length of the comment, but too often it is distortion of the quote that clouds the truth. Perhaps the real meaning of the quote and the point Samuel Johnson was stressing to all.
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One of the most amazing phenomenons is that elephants, aside from humans, visit their ancestors. When hearing this as a kid, it did not nearly have the same effect it has on me as an adult. With this said, one of the worse things that we could do as a civilized people is to forget the passing of others. Thank you very much, Lady_E for reading me.
Honestly as I was reading this, I shivered remembering the scenes I saw of those planes crashing into the Towers. People at very high floors hanging out of windows - jumping to their death.
I pray with all my heart that we never, ever see such a day again. Cheers Dohn.
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jill of alltrades--Thank you Jill. I just hope that we all continue to remember this day forward and not ever forget.
Catherine R--Thank you for the compliment. I'm beginning to see now the effect Nine Eleven had the world abroad, being a member of our community. Not until now have I come to this revelation. Thanks again.
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Hi, Peter. You are absolutely right about the vividness of this horrific event. For any of us to forget this day would be to dishonor the nearly 3,000 people who were stolen by their loved ones. Thank you for remembering.
Hello, Ernie. I loved the last line of your comment. This was the first and hopefully the last time I've been affected by such a cataclysmic event involving terrorism. The victims were people just like all of us from all around the world. Those who were behind the attacks certainly didn't discriminate who they were killing that day. To them, we were all their enemies. Perhaps we can consider ourselves all lucky for the time being in not be directly affected by these heinous acts of hatred. Thank you.
As a non American I would just like to say that it is a day that the whole world will always remember. I lived in South Africa at the time and remember watching the horror unfolding - vividly like it just happened yesterday. That was a beautiful remembrance dohn.
The horror of 9/11 will remain forever in our memories.
Thank you for writing this beautiful hub Dohn.
Great hub dohn. My country is no stranger to bombings and casualties of war / terroristic attacks and like you, I have often found myself thankful that none of my loved ones was hurt or was killed. But even if I had no loved ones affected by the 9/11 attack, that attack affected a lot of us. I was awake at 1 am just watching the news coverage of that attack. At the same time, I prayed for those people in there. I don't think anybody who watched what happened will ever forget, not in 8 years, not in another 80 years.
dohn121 - Thanks for the hub. This is one of the events in my life that always feels like yesterday. I remember so much of my own feelings and thoughts and especially my sorrow for others.
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Thank you, Ishavasyam. I think that your comment is more than adequate. I appreciate it very much. I'm overwhelmed by so many wonderful comments I've received. It's more than I could ask for.
hello dohn121 ...let me borrow some one else's response " this is heart wrenching"..it touched the chords of my emotions..words fail me at this moment..
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Wow, Saber27. I'm a bit taken back by your comment. You are the third military personnel to respond to my hub, as Wesley and Scott already commented. I appreciate and admire your courage in protecting this great nation of ours. I wish you well and godspeed to your way back home.
Hi Dhon121,
My response was much different than yours and some of your responders. I suppose that depends on age and experience but I wasn't philosophizing. I was not horror stricken. I was not searching for the meaning of life. I was pissed. In years gone by I was a Cobra Gunship Pilot and when that second airplane hit it was time to go back to work.
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Thank you for reading me, Dori. One of the reasons why I love children so much as that they are so honest and wholesome about their thoughts of the world. Place a purple kid and green kid on a playground and chances are, they'll befriend each other in a short while. I of course know that you have a penchant for children. I sometimes think about how it would be to lose my parents and shudder at the mere thought. Thank you so much for commenting. And a HUGE thank you for being my 350th fan! I laughed when reading your fan mail! I thought you had fanned me many moons ago too!
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Thank you Drew. When first we heard of it, I remember some punk freshman was cheering at the fact that there were no more classes for the rest of the day. I'm surprise he made to the parking lot. All of were staring at him.
The BBC footage is the most graphic of those pictures. It would have been tough to see that on live television. People trapped inside really believed that they were going to burn up. I hope I never have to see or hear about something like this for as long as I live. Thanks, bro.
This is such a great hub with awesome pictures. I had nearly forgotten what today was until I picked up Aaliyah at day care today. She is three. She said "Nanna in September two airplanes fell out of the sky and hurt alot of people" I assume her teacher was trying to expalin to the class. She has talked about it all day long. She doesn't really correct but she certainly reminded me. I am ashamed to admit I was so caught up in my own life I didnt remember those we lost during this horrific tragedy. Thumbs up.
dori
Beautifully written.
I remember that day. The principal made an announcement a plane it a building in NYC and that was all. My class mates and I laughed at the stupidity of the pilot completely unaware of the grave nature of the situation. At the end of the day I saw the footage of the planes hitting in a teachers class room. Stunned at how this action movie like footage was actually real. Real people jumping from those buildings...
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divinemercylover1--My prayers are certainly with them too. I think that another good act to employ is to spend time with those that we love and tell them that we care for them as much as we can. Thank you again.
awsydney--I think I've seen that concert too on Youtube. Sting is definitely one of my favorites as I am also a big Police fan. Thank you for your prayers and your readership. I appreciate all of your enduring support.
mayhmong--Hello May. Thank you for reading me. I really wish that there was something I could do. Being so close to NYC was certainly not easy, as many people lost their moms and dads, as in my town, many people work and commute to the city on a daily basis.
Paradise7--Thank you so much for your wonderful comments. There is so much in this world that can be avoided if only we all loved and cared for one another in spite of our differences. Thank goodness for the human spirit and for our ability as humans to remember.
Duchess OBlunt--That's wonderful to hear from you, Duchess. You are a good friend and family member as you acted on your behalf to console those in pain. I truly appreciate your kind comments. Thank you so much for reading me.
Dohn, thank you. This was so well done! Not only do American's remember this day, so do we all. I remember where I was when I heard the horrible news, I remember crying with friends and family who were personally affected with a loved one lost. I remember the anger and the guilt too. The feelings that run through a person when something like this happens is very hard to express. You did it beautifully.
Ah, good hub, Dohn. Real good. I remember, too, all about that day, along with every other American. You expressed our thoughts and feelings so well. I, too, remember thinking, "This may be it. We may be headed for WWIII after this, and with all the nuclear weapons about..."
I also felt so shocked and so sorry for all those people in the buildings. They went to work and about their business as usual, and then what happened? It shocked us all, so profoundly.
I like reading your hubs. You're a very good writer; you express things so well.
That must of been scary having to deal with that incident so close to your college?! But I'm glad to hear your side of the story. Writing about it really does help you. At least America came together and helped out the victim and family members.
Great hub Dohn. Another remembrance concert was the one held by Sting who was comtemplating whether the concert should proceed. His song "Fragile" at the concert was a poignant reminder to all of us about how fragile and precious our worlds are. Here in Australia, we share your pain and were with you all the way. Lest we forget and God bless those who perished.
You are right Dohn, life is so sacred, and my prayers are with all the families who lost a loved one. At this point and after having remembered 09/11/2001, and reading your article, honestly Dohn....I just do not know what to do but to pray, and, remember........then pray some more.God Bless the families, God Bless you Dohn, and God Bless America.
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Thank you, Pam. I hope that all that lost their loved ones somehow find solace today knowing that that person is truly in a better place and free from harm. Nothing can justify the loss of an innocent life, nor any amount of money. It's wonderful to hear from you as always.
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Thank you so much for that, divinemercylover1. I value your comment and am overwhelmed by the responses. September 11th brings so much into focus, especially the value of human life and just how fast life can be taken away just as soon as it is created. I hope to hear from you again.
Beautifully written dohn, thank you. This is a perfect tribute and remembrance.
I've never seen anything that horrifying and hope I never see anything to match it again. God bless all who died and the survivors who remember them.
Dohn: I feel the same way everyone feels, tears are brought to my eyes as you truly have as davina3 said, you have memoralized this day with the depths only the written word can do.......Thankyou for sharing....
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Yes. I now live in Connecticut and it has been raining over here as well. I just remember it so well because it contrasted so much with how everyone was feeling compared to how the weather was. Perhaps the rain this year is the shedding of tears for those who were lost. Thank you, E.A. Wright.
The brilliantly bright blue sky is also the first thing that comes to my mind when I think about 9/11.
I wonder if it's because of the nature of the attack, that we all spent so much time gazing at that perfect, cloudless, Northeastern sky in a way we wouldn't have otherwise?
9/11 this year is dark and rainy in New York -- nothing like the day eight years ago, a day that otherwise would have been gorgeous.
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It's great hearing from you, Leslie. I sometimes hear from my older friends who recall the day when JFK was assassinated. This is certainly one of the stories I'll be telling my grand-kids (God willingly). Thank you for your comment. I hope to hear from you again.
Thank you for your sharing your experiences on Sept 11, 2001. I think each of us across the country (and maybe even the globe) remember what we were doing that morning, and how we felt, and what we thought.
Thank you for taking the time to share yours.
God Bless,
Leslie
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Thank you for reading me, sheristeele. I hope to hear from you again!
Dohn, I love reading your hubs! THANKS for sharing.
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Not a problem, Larry. I believe that there are still many questions that have yet to be answered and that we have to research the truth further. I hope that all of us are unsatisfied with what the media is force-feeding us. The truth is still out there. Once we accept everything that is told to us is the day we are become indolent. I only ask that we question everything that is going on in our world. I hope that you'll agree with me.
I wish you well and it is always great to hear from you, Larry.
A painful memoir and remembrance for those lost to Islamic terrorist attacks on 9-11...I'm a little confused by your use of the quotation " Truth is the first casualty of war "...I fully understand the meaning of the quote, but fail to associate it with 9-11...Are you suggesting that someone other than Islamic Arabs, fully funded and trained from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Libya, were responsible for the attacks..? That, just maybe, we had prior knowledge ?...We allowed this to happen so we could go after the oil..? Healthy skepticism is one thing, unfounded cynicism is another..
I'm sorry Dohn, I just don't see the implication {s) of the quote being applied here...Larry
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Even after all these years, it is still tough for me to believe that this really happened. To forget those who perished in this event is unthinkable. It was good to see so many of come together to support the surviving members of the family whose love one was lost. Thank so much for you comment. I've really been wanting to write this for some time. It's always great to hear from you.
This was a brilliantly written homage. I remember the feeling of helplessness. I was in Texas, at the time, so I had a momentary feeing of disbelief, because I was watching the coverage on TV. You really put your heart into this piece. I think this is the perfect hub for memorializing the day. Thanks, Dohn. Once again, you have made me think.
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I really hope that this never happens again--not on American soil or any other country's soil. It's difficult for me to justify murder in any case. I happy to hear that you and your loved ones were spared in this atrocity. Life is too short for any of us take for granted. Thank you for commenting, NaomiR. It's always good to hear from you.
Thanks for remembering this day and the poor people who lost their lives. I was in the city when it happened -- fortunately, way across town -- but it was one of the scariest days of my life. i'm fortunate in that no one in my life died that day, but they easily could've, had they been in the wrong place at the wrong time. My husband was in the Nat'l Guard at the time so he, of course, was called up. It was frightening all around. Hopefully, nothing like this will ever happen again.
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Scott.Life-Thank you for your insight and your bravery to fight for our country. We all owe you and your brothers and sisters at arms for your selfless sacrifices. America is and always will be in my heart. Our strength lies in our love for one another and not in our bank accounts. Money will come and go, but lives cannot be replaced nor can our memories of those who were lost due to hatred. I appreciate your kind words and hope that not a single drop on innocent blood is spilled.
UK--I hope that we can all learn from this tragedy. Although I did not mention it, I did for my first and only time in my life visit the World Trade Center only six months prior to September 11. This fact made that day even tougher to bare. I hope this never happens to any of us, in this country or abroad. Thanks, UK. You are a friend.
eslisabethkcmo--Thank you for reading me. I truly appreciate it.
IslandVoice--My father always reminds me that life is short and that there are things that are beyond our control. He's my biggest advocate of good works. Thank you.
AIDY--Thank you. It's difficult for me to believe that it already been 8 years. The photos are still as powerful today as they were the day they were taken.
wesleycox--Thank you, Wes. Both you and Scott do a great service that I can never equal. I thank you both for your courage. Maybe someday the truth will come out.
I*n*v*i*c*t*u*s--I hope that no one will ever forget this day for as long as they live. Our soldiers are still fighting this elusive enemy. I just hope that they'll all come home soon to their families and loved ones. Thank you.
The memories are so fresh and everlasting. A day that dramatically altered the state of American lives and yet also brought us closer to many other cultures in a saddening way. Thank you for this remembrance!
This is a great rememberance hub dohn. I could see and feel the confusion and hysteria as you described it. Also, your history professor is right... truth is always the first casualty in war. Great job.
Dohn, a fitting and thought provoking tribute. The images are still startling to look at.
A heart wrenching hub on that fateful day we will never forget. We know that world is not safe.
well spoken, thank you for sharing
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Thank you, Luciendasky. I don't see how any one can forget it. I remember finding it difficult for the next week or so to not watch MSNBC or CNN. I just had to know what was going on, no matter how bad the news was. No one should ever have to go through any of this. Thank you for reading me.
This brought tears to my eyes. I know we will always remember the events of 9/11. You did a wonderful job at bringing out the feeling that the whole world felt on that aweful day. I remember feeling so afraid that day. I did not know what would happen next. I feared for the saftey of my family as well at for the safety of all Americans. Great hub for remembering those that lost thier life on 9/11.
Eight Years later we are still hunting the mastermind of that attack, with little success. we have caught his friends his allies and servants, but he remains as ever elusive. This attack was used as a pretense to invade another middle eastern nation, that we are still mired in. There will never be peace in these nations until we as a people realize that it is not up to us to dictate morality to others. Many were the chance s to deal with Bin laden in the ten years leading up to this attack. Loud were the warnings by previous presidents and policy makers in the intelligence community. As a marine the name Osama Bin Laden had been familiar to me as early as 1998. Maybe our anger towards the Taliban and Al Quieda was a mask for our own feelings of responsibility and in action in the years leading up to this. Much as The navy had been warned of increasing Japanese activity in the years , months, and days before Dec. 7th, we too had been warned of this new threat. however hindsight does little to lesson the tragedy. the truth is a group of zealots boarded planes with the intent to do murder and harm against people who had never hurt them or their people. For all of Bin Laden's affirmations that his fight was with the government not the people why did he chose to attack the people. Remember that at the time of the attack some 50,000 workers were in and around the buildings that so few lost their lives is the real miracle. terrorism is a sham and a smoke screen to legitimize the power hungry and cruel. we can not win this war because we have already lost it. The moment we changed our way of life and compromised our ideals and freedoms to react to this threat the terrorist were victorious. i will never forget this day.I wish we would build the trade center back again precisely as it was. This would send the message thnat needs sent. You can Not beat Us we will not bow, whatever you knock down we will rebuild.
I never understood the phrase "Truth is the first casualty" until I read this article. I also understand what you mean about being thankful no one you knew was hurt but guilty you felt that way. Though I don't live in NYC, the town I lived in before moving to Oregon had an explosion last march a block away from where I was living and I felt the same happiness yet guilt. Thank you for writing and remembering this day - as it is a day that all Americans will remember.
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