My thoughts on…the 5th anniversary of 9/11

September 11th 2006 -

We all remember where we were when it happened. I was in Spanish class back at Wolmer’s. It was the usual school day. Sunny, quiet and deceptively calm. The last day you’d expect a disaster to strike. A frightened classmate ran into the room, shouting about the Twin Towers being hit by planes. I shrugged it off. Sure it sounded tragic, but it sounded like your usual tragedy. Nothing could prepare me for the horror I witnessed as I saw the chaos and destruction unleashed on that fateful day. I can still hear the screams of terror, the deafening explosions, and the powerful rumble as the buildings fell to the ground. It all came back to me last night as I watched “Footsteps of Bin Laden” on CNN. No special reason, just insomnia. Hard to believe that it happened five years ago. Seems like only yesterday.

The paranoia that ensued was laughable. People tried to cash in on the tragedy by selling T-shirts, flags, his and her gas masks, parachutes, pills that would supposedly make you immune to the effects of radiation, coins, country western songs, movies, etc. Airport security was stepped up to ridiculous proportions, and Americans were paralyzed by fear. They seemed afraid of their own shadows, and grew extremely xenophobic, especially toward Arabs. Still they found the strength to move on in light of such a disaster. The resilience of the American spirit they call it.

Five years later, Osama Bin Laden is still at large, and Bush’s proud declarations of his impending capture have all been silenced. Paranoia has subsided greatly, and with the exception of airport security, things are largely back to normal. Al-Qaeda openly boasts of their achievement by releasing a tape commemorating the event, complete with a smiling Bin Laden. Ceremonies have been held all over the States to commemorate 9/11. There have been moments of silence, flags flown at half mast, families of the victims grieving at Ground Zero, and Bush and other politicians giving their tributes.

I didn’t lose any friends or family to 9/11, but with such a disaster it shouldn’t matter. This post is the only way I know how to pay my respects. For my fellow bloggers, the 2996 project aims to have 2996 bloggers each post about a victim of 9/11. Check it out and honour their memory. Let’s not forget those lost in the attack, those who died trying to save them, and the families they left behind. God bless America. Even more now.

P.S. On a lighter note, a classmate of mine celebrated her birthday today. I’m not kidding!

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6 Responses on “My thoughts on…the 5th anniversary of 9/11”

jhay Says:
September 11th, 2006 at 9:13 pm
How could the world forget such a tragedy? My prayers goes out to all the victims and their families.
Melody Says:
September 11th, 2006 at 9:45 pm
Age Quod Agis!! Okay, ah can continue now.
That was definitely a milestone in this millenium, many people will never recover from it.
Gina R Johnson Says:
September 11th, 2006 at 10:42 pm
Thanks for coming by my blog, Leon. Good lookin’ out. Excellent tribute post, too. Thanks to all our friends in the Caribbean who are remembering this day with us. My thoughts and prayers have been with the families, the first responders, our troops and our nation’s leaders throughout today. Politicizing and arguing sides seems so stupid right now, I’ve had no use for it ever since this thing happened. For me, it’s all about being thankful for each day I have, because there are no guarantees.

Peace to you all.
Stunner Says:
September 12th, 2006 at 12:54 am
That was indeed a tragic day. And even now we are still feeling the aftershocks.
Abeni Says:
September 12th, 2006 at 6:12 am
I remember thinking “Thank God am back home”. 9/11 happened a few weeks after I returned to the cbean..Funny thing is I wasn’t so horrified whilst watching but a few days later it all sank it how chilling it really was
Maritza Says:
September 12th, 2006 at 9:55 am
Thanks Leon. Nobody will ever forget. I’m glad all the marketing of US flags has finally stopped and people are remembering in a more introspective, respectful way.

You’re friend has every right to celebrate their birthday on 9/11 and every 9/11 to come. It’s a day to remember the tragedy but also to celebrate that we are alive and safe.