9/11



It was amazing to experience the 17th anniversary of 9/11 in New York City. I was only a year old when the attack happened so of course I don't remember a thing about that day. But I will never forget what it was like here on September 11th, 2018. After class I headed to the memorial downtown to see the Tribute In Lights. By the time I had arrived they had already turned the lights on and they were so bright. I was worried that they weren't going to show up because it had been so foggy all day, but they pierced through the fog and shot so high up into the sky. It was unlike anything I have ever seen. In addition to the two light beams representing the towers, both of the memorial pools were lit up. Each and every name was glowing, it was stunning. There were so many people there, and yet it was so silent. The only thing you could hear was the water rushing into the pools. There were so many flags flying, it was a beautiful thing to be a part of. Nearby the memorial museum is a fire station; Fire Department 343. I couldn't have counted the Firefighters and other Officers there if I tried, and they were all in formal uniform. It was amazing to see so many people there, and everyone was full of honor and respect. 


 


I have been to the memorial a few times before and I have been through the museum. It is an overwhelmingly heart-breaking place and in the past going there has made me feel deep sadness. Of course it was still heart-breaking and sad, but while I was walking around the memorial this time I didn't feel sad. Of course there was still deep sadness felt in thinking about the horrific events that took place, but there was much more of a uniting feeling. With masses of people being there, the feeling of connection and affinity was stronger than the sadness. 17 years ago on that day in that very spot, and all across the country, there were very different feelings and emotions that are unimaginable. This tragic event brought the people of America together and I definitely felt that 17 years later. It was an absolutely incredible experience I will never forget. 

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 13, 2018 at 10:39 PM

    The reflections of a child and consciousness of a young adult intertwined at the hallowed Ground Zero with emotions of empathy, loss, gratitude, and the spirt of mankind at its best having survived the worst.
    Well said.

    ReplyDelete

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