9/11, we should not forget
6 years ago today, all of us experienced the most horrific terrorist acts in the United States. I remember the morning well, reports of a small plane hitting the World Trade Center, then watching in horror as a large jet hit the second tower, immediately understanding this was no accident. Then another plane crashed into the Pentagon, reports of another hijacking and another plane crash in Pennsylvania, of course, the towers fell and America was under attack. But in the next few days and months America rallied from the depths of despair we felt on that day for the loss of almost 3000 innocent victims and there was hope. After a few years, it seems like we're right back where we started.
Anna Quindlen, writing in Newsweek said, "It's business as usual there, except for one small section of the fence with a listing of the names of those who died in letters so small that you almost have to squint to read them. Remember how we said we would never forget them? We forgot them. If the spirit of the day had prevailed, the sense that this was a moment like no other and demanded a gesture in kind, someone would have had the guts to leave this national graveyard solemn, empty and still. Instead there is a sign there that says that the job now is 'to recover the 10 million-sq. feet of commercial space lost in the attacks.' How American. It's all about the real estate."
I flew into New York City on many occasions and especially remember the flight path taking you over lower Manhattan with a spectacular view of the World Trade Center. My wife just flew back from NYC on Friday and mentioned to me how sad it was to fly over and see it missing. We miss the twin towers but we'll never forget about the people who died and their families who certainly have not forgotten that day.