(5-31-08)

September 11th, 2001:

     The nation I call my home, the United States of America was attacked today by an unknown terrorist organization with a viciousness that I did not know was possible. Such violence against innocent civilians - moms and dads, sons and daughters - was not even conceivable before today. Acts of terrorism always seemed like one of those things that we hear about happening in some other country. Maybe some place where people don't look like us. Maybe some place we could never hope to find on a map or don't even know how to pronounce the name of the country. We tended to ignore these horrible acts because they happened somewhere we'd never been to. It wasn't in our back yard.

     Today was different. September 11th, 2001 marks the day that the worst terrorist attack in the history of our nation and possibly the history of the world occurred. Two hijacked aircraft were maneuvered into the twin towers of the World Trade Center today. Untold thousands were killed in the first impact. More died in the ensuing fires trapped in the floors above the impact. Evacuations were started on the other building immediately even though none could have known that only a quarter hour later it too would be struck by another hijacked aircraft. Thousands flooded the streets fleeing the scene as emergency crews arrived to assist the evacuation of the buildings.

     Then the first building succumbed to the incredible destruction from the commercial airliner and the resulting fire and came crashing to the ground. 110 stories; some 1300 feet of towering glass and steel fell to the Earth in a matter of seconds. All those trapped in the building as well as hundreds of police, fire fighters, and other emergency personnel all perished. A short while later the second tower fell. Later in the day, WTC7, a 47 story tower which is also part of the World Trade Center complex collapsed after suffering damage from the wreckage of the two towers. Thankfully it had long since been evacuated.

     Shortly after the initial attacks on the World Trade Center, yet another aircraft which was hijacked was flown into the Pentagon. Our nation's premier military intelligence building had been struck and in turn burned and partially collapsed. It is unknown how many may have perished in the building although again all aboard the aircraft perished. Finally news of a fourth hijacked aircraft being flown into the ground in Pennsylvania with all crew and passengers lost. An unfathomable total of four aircraft all hijacked within hours of each other, all being destroyed and 3 of which causing incredible destruction and loss of life far beyond just that of those aboard the aircraft. They were facts well beyond reason. Well beyond what should be possible in a civilized world.

     All through the day I couldn't help but think that perhaps this would turn out to be a hoax. An elaborate scheme or false alert, or maybe just some incredibly vivid nightmare from which I would awaken. The reality of it was that this incredible act of evil was in fact real. I felt anger, fear, frustration, apathy, helplessness, and sadness all at once. I wanted to know who was responsible so I could direct my hate, but we have been given no such pleasure of knowing exactly who is responsible for this. None of the emotion I feel can do anything to change these events however, and none of it can compare to the incredible emptiness and sadness in the hearts of all those more closely affected by this.

     I spoke to my family, both my mom and dad and even my roommate about it. I spoke to friends online as we all tried to figure out what's going on and come to terms with what this means. Somehow it makes one feel like only a small spec on the face of the Earth. A dot which can be whisked away in an instant by the actions of another. I wish I had a wife or close girlfriend to hold in my arms and feel comfort with right now, but at the same time such thoughts make me feel selfish as there are now thousands who's family members and loved ones are gone and never to return. My sorrow pales in comparison. I only hope that this attack will serve to awaken the American people to the fact that we cannot continue as the "me" generation, doomed to live and die with no greater purpose than to serve themselves. I hope and I pray that there will be some glimmer of hope and some good which may arise from the ashes to make this country and this world a place we can all be proud to be a part of. My prayers go out to all those who have lost their lives today as well as all they lives they touch and I hope they will not die without a hope of a better world than this one.