-Benjamin Franklin
Did you remember this anniversary? Was it in the front of you mind or did it take you by surprise? 5 years ago. Do you remember where you were when you first learned? What were you doing? What do you think we've accomplished, learned, 5 years later? 2001.09.11 That day is burned in my mind along with the day that Challenger exploded.
I remember. I missed all of the stuff on the radio and didn't hear about the planes hitting the towers until after I was in the lab. When I arrived in the lab, my PI (principle investigator) was a little harried, his wife was frantic. I had no idea why. Their eldest daughter lived in NY at the time. She saw the towers being struck from her office at work. I was listening to the radio in the car at the time the 1st tower was hit, but it wasn't on the radio. Everyone thought it was a fluke. Planes hit buildings in NY on occasion. I was walking down to the lab from my car when the 2nd tower was struck and coverage was everywhere, but I was walking, no radio, no tv. I didn't know. Then I walked into the lab.
No work was done that day. I was stunned, but it wasn't personal. It didn't feel personal until the Pentagon was hit. One of my cousins had been working in the Pentagon. I was so scared. I couldn't get in touch with him. I called my mom, brothers, anyone. I needed to know that he was okay. He was. Just stuck in DC for over 5 hours because all of the subways were shut down and he couldn't get out of the city.
My other cousin, his sister, worked (and still works) for JP Morgan. I knew that they held the largest lease in the towers, but she was based out of Philly. No reason to think she was in any danger. She was supposed to have been there. They were expecting her in the NY office that day. I learned that, and I thought I was going to go crazy. Impossible to get through to anyone. I learned she was supposed to be there and no one could get in touch with her. We didn't know where she was. I hit the floor, on my knees and prayed. She missed her train. She walked into her office in Philly, and her co-workers wondered what she was doing there. Then the planes.
We were sent home. No one was working. We were all listening to the radio, watching an old black and white TV, all of the computers were on news sites.
September 2001 was a crazy month. I moved into my apartment. Twin Towers and Pentagon. My mother told us she had breast cancer to be followed by surgery and chemo.
5 years later, what have we learned? Do we live better? A little worse? Does time dull the memory until a new event locks us down again? Are we winning or have the terrorists won? In my opinion, which counts for very little, terrorists what to change your life. One act of terrorism can change numerous lives, but they really win if they can make everyone afraid. So I ask again, are we winning or are they? How much are you willing to give up for a little secuity? No liquids on a flight unless they're provided to you by the attendants? Can I pack lip gloss in my carry on? What shoes should I wear so they're easy to take off. How early do I need to get to the airport so I don't miss my flight? 2 hours? 3 hours? Is it even worth flying? I would take me less time to drive. Should I be worried about going down the road? Of whom should I be afraid? Enemies foreign? Domestic? The person sitting across from me? Should I even leave my house? What should I be willing to sacrifice for security? Are we really more secure?
The people who lost their lives simply because they were working. Walking on the street. They had no idea. They weren't targeted specifically. They were incidental. Then there are those men and women who willingly put their lives in danger, too many who lost their lives to save others. Are we serving their memory the best way we can? Would they shake their heads at what we have done to ourselves. What has truly changed our lives more? Let's face it. Attacks are part of our country. We are the superpower. It should be expected. Not tolerated, but expected. What have we done to ourselves. Terrorists remind us to fear, but only we can build the cages, hide, and continue to live in that fear. Are we honoring those who lost their lives in the best way we can?
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