I’m sure there are going to be a number of 9/11 post, but I just wanted to get my bit in.
Living in Canada we’ve never (until very recently) had to concern ourselves with the likes of terrorists for the most part. Still, when I learned of the events of September 11th, 2001, I was horrified. Everything had changed that day. The bar had been raised. Terrorism wasn’t just about random bombings anymore. Now they were flying passenger-laden planes into large buildings, killing thousands and changing the landscape. And it happened only a few hundred miles from me. It didn’t seem to matter that it was in another country. There were no borders that day, no Americans and Canadians. Just people. And terrorists. I couldn’t watch the events unfold in real time unfortunately. I was at work at the time, and we all had jobs to do, and the little snatches of news updates I’d get from customers and staff didn’t do much to piece the puzzle together. It wasn’t until I got home that I saw - and felt - the full horror of what had transpired – what was still transpiring. Echoing what everyone else would quickly think, it felt surreal, like a movie. I had become so innured from action films and explosions and such that this seemed like a scene from one. But it was real. So terrifyingly real. Those were real planes. Those were real towers crumbling to the ground. Thousands of real lives were lost.
Last week I read through the original 9/11 thread as events occured and it was like experiencing it all over again, but from an even closer perspective. From those who lived and worked in the country – even the city – where it was taking place. It was quite moving. And then Cartooniverse’s incredible post Everything Changed post, right from the front lines, from within ground zero, in the aftermath as Manhattan was still submurged in chaos. It might as well have happened yesterday.
At the time of this post, American Airlines Flight 11 had crashed into the WTC North Tower, and Flight 175 is only minutes away from hitting the South. In a moment I’m going to hit submit and have a moment of silence at my desk in rememberance of all those who lost their lives, and a moment of solemn thanks to all those who gave selflessly of themselves in the events that followed, who remain heroes no matter how much time has passed since.
Though I live and work in Ontario, Canada, I wish I had a little American flag at my desk to raise to half mast today. Hopefully, some of you out there do, and can.
Peace.