-By Carol Fisher-Linn-
September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.
It is a permanent tribute to those killed and injured, and to these who rose in service.
September 11, 2001 was a day of unprecedented shock and suffering in the history of the United States. America was unprepared for what took place. Twenty-one years have passed since that awful day when devastation befell the world Trade Center towers. We were left speechless and fearing for our own safety. My daughter, a brand-new mother, equated it to her generation’s Pearl Harbor; the young future owner/editor of this newspaper remembers on her way to summer class at the University at Buffalo and pulling off the road in her car, fearful that something might fall from the sky and end her days on earth. Another member of our team, Jessica, watching events unfold on the TV in her history class, remembers being very frightened knowing her cousin was working in the UN Building. A friend in Buffalo was taking her husband to the VA where she was alarmed when she encountered armed guards monitoring those going into the building. It was surreal for all of us. Each of us wrestled with our own emotions as we watched those iconic buildings crumble, and as the Pentagon was targeted and hit. We were horrified to hear of Flight 93 carrying 4 terrorists and 40 everyday-folk-turned-heroes, like Jeremy Glick, Todd Beamer (“LET’S ROLL!”), Lou Nacke, Mark Bingham, and Tom Burnet who heroically and unselfishly confronted those terrorists. These heroes prevented yet another attack on American soil, thought to have been targeting the US Capital Building.
As a result of these attacks, 2,977 people were killed,19 hijackers committed murder–suicide, and more than 6,000 others were injured. Of the 2,977 fatal victims, 2,753 were killed in the World Trade Center and the surrounding area, 184 at the Pentagon, and 40 in Pennsylvania. These deaths included 265 on the four planes. The attacks remain the deadliest terrorist act in world history. (We lost 2403 souls in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.) Sadly, to date, only 1,647 of the WTC victims have been acknowledged through DNA testing. The quest continues until hopefully all can be identified.
Just to give a brief history for the Gen-Z’ers and those younger who may not remember the event: “The hijackers were Islamic terrorists from Saudi Arabia and several other Arab nations. Reportedly financed by the al Qaeda terrorist organization of Saudi fugitive Osama bin Laden, they were allegedly acting in retaliation for America’s support of Israel, its involvement in the Persian Gulf War and its continued military presence in the Middle East. Some of the terrorists had lived in the United States for more than a year and had taken flying lessons at American commercial flight schools. Others had slipped into the country in the months before September 11 and acted as the “muscle” in the operation.” (Wikipedia)
Twenty-one years have passed. America has changed. For a short while after the tragedy, we truly became the UNITED States, supported by, and mourned with citizens in countries across the globe. American flags blanketed neighborhoods: community members stepped to the plate when a need was perceived; hugs, smiles, and waves were readily dispensed with no hesitations. Through our shared grief, we easily found connection with one another regardless of our skin color, our social status, or our religious/political affiliations. We TOGETHER shared a national sympathy for those lost that day, and the promise to NEVER FORGET.
So, how’s that coming? You know, we Americans have proven that we have it in us to be helpful and kind, to communicate with one another respectfully and graciously, to make a difference in another’s life. You can make a difference with little things like letting pedestrians cross at a crosswalk, by opening the door for someone struggling with packages or using a walker or cane, by truly being interested and engaged when you meet up with someone and ask how they are. On the 11th, perhaps you could purposely visit for 35 minutes with someone who is dealing with a life-struggle or loss, to honor the 35 minutes of heroism displayed by the passengers on Flight 93 from the hijacking to the crash. National Day of Service “encourages Americans to volunteer, support charities, and perform other good deeds and acts of kindness that help others in the spirit of remembrance, unity, and service. In this way, we seek to keep our promise to Never Forget”.
Todd Beamer (“LET’S ROLL!”)