No matter how many times I watch the videos or see the news reports, or read the accounts, this is as real to me today as it was in 2001.
I was recovering from major surgery and lying in bed at home that day. When the radio came on I thought I was dreaming, that it was April 1st and they were telling jokes.
Then they said that the second tower had fallen. And somehow, in my half awake state I knew it was real. I got out of bed and headed for the TV.
When I went into the office everyone was crowded around the TV in the Boardroom, no one worked that day. We all stood gob smacked at the pictures.
We had an American guy who worked in our office, he was petrified for his wife who worked in the Sears Tower in Chicago.
He said to me that nothing would be the same in America after that day. And I remember thinking that nothing ever should be.
I saw that video, Dances. It was probably the most complete video on the subject that I have seen. They happened to be making a video with the NYFD when the first plane went in. They knew something was wrong because no plane should have been when it was.
A few years ago I saw a program on the discovery channel, IIRC, that was "Inside the World Trade Center." It was just a regular program when it was made, but the 9?11 happened. They showed the program as it originally intended with no added video or discussion -- but the captions indicated if the person they were talking to survived or not. They felt that it would be a better memorial to show it that way. I think it was the right decision. I think they showed it with no commercials.
I saw it too, it's very powerful. The part I remember the most is when they finally realised that the loud bangs they were hearing from outside was the sound of bodies hitting the ground.
Yes, we will remember; a teacher's comments about the Koran burning gave a springboard for a larger conversation about the anniversary and the nature of Islam. To this point, I've exposed them to very little about the events of that day, but they're getting older, and there are lots of things they need to understand.
lady red, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who feels it all come rushing back; I thought it would fade - but the pain is just as sharp when I see those images.
Matt and I watched United 93 on DVD. We had seen it in the theatre but picked up a lot of subtleties on second viewing. Hard to watch but well worth it.
I took my kids to the Pentagon Memorial yesterday, but it was closed due to a suspicious package. With the wait being voiced at over an hour left (we got there 1 hour in), I took them home. We read about Flight 93 from The Dangerous Book of Heroes, and I thought that even though two of my three still at home were born pre-9/11, they still don't know any other world.
I figure that taking them to the 9/11 Memorials are important, because they need to know why their Dad is always gone now. What caused it, why it's our normal.
I also wondered why, after 10 years, this is still so raw for us. I think that it always will be to a certain extent, because the world changed that day. But also, I think that the continued waffling in purpose makes the wound less able to heal. The arguments over cause, the inability of people to work together... It all keeps the wound as raw as lemon juice in a paper cut.
The ever-eloquent Cass wrote a wonderful Two Americas piece:
I will never forget that day.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how many times I watch the videos or see the news reports, or read the accounts, this is as real to me today as it was in 2001.
I was recovering from major surgery and lying in bed at home that day. When the radio came on I thought I was dreaming, that it was April 1st and they were telling jokes.
Then they said that the second tower had fallen. And somehow, in my half awake state I knew it was real. I got out of bed and headed for the TV.
When I went into the office everyone was crowded around the TV in the Boardroom, no one worked that day. We all stood gob smacked at the pictures.
We had an American guy who worked in our office, he was petrified for his wife who worked in the Sears Tower in Chicago.
He said to me that nothing would be the same in America after that day. And I remember thinking that nothing ever should be.
America is a land of heroes. That fact was proven again that day.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it was Matt.
ReplyDeleteSuch sacrifice.
I have no words.
Nine years later, and my emotions are still raw. I cried watching the video. The sense of horror, of disbelief, still takes my breath away.
ReplyDeleteEarly this morning I had linked a multi-part documentary made by three Frnch brothers who were riding with the first station to be called to 9/11.
ReplyDeleteBut it was too raw for me, and I cancelled the post.
Maybe later.
I saw that video, Dances. It was probably the most complete video on the subject that I have seen. They happened to be making a video with the NYFD when the first plane went in. They knew something was wrong because no plane should have been when it was.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago I saw a program on the discovery channel, IIRC, that was "Inside the World Trade Center." It was just a regular program when it was made, but the 9?11 happened. They showed the program as it originally intended with no added video or discussion -- but the captions indicated if the person they were talking to survived or not. They felt that it would be a better memorial to show it that way. I think it was the right decision. I think they showed it with no commercials.
I saw it too, it's very powerful. The part I remember the most is when they finally realised that the loud bangs they were hearing from outside was the sound of bodies hitting the ground.
ReplyDeleteChilling.
Yes, we will remember; a teacher's comments about the Koran burning gave a springboard for a larger conversation about the anniversary and the nature of Islam. To this point, I've exposed them to very little about the events of that day, but they're getting older, and there are lots of things they need to understand.
ReplyDeletelady red, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who feels it all come rushing back; I thought it would fade - but the pain is just as sharp when I see those images.
Thanks for giving us a place to remember.
Your welcome, Lyana. TCKT is truly a community effort. Sad days like this should be shared with friends...
ReplyDeleteFay, thank you so much for creating this solemn tribute. It's perfect.
I don't know about the rest of you, but the weather here in Portland seldom fails to be an uncanny reminder of the day nine years ago.
ReplyDeleteCrisp, clear, perfect. Makes it all so immediate and present, all over again.
I had a nice walk around the neighborhood and soaked it all up - content and unsettled all at once.
We had the same kind of day lewy, weather wise.
ReplyDeleteContent and unsettled, you found the words.
Matt and I watched United 93 on DVD. We had seen it in the theatre but picked up a lot of subtleties on second viewing. Hard to watch but well worth it.
I took my kids to the Pentagon Memorial yesterday, but it was closed due to a suspicious package. With the wait being voiced at over an hour left (we got there 1 hour in), I took them home. We read about Flight 93 from The Dangerous Book of Heroes, and I thought that even though two of my three still at home were born pre-9/11, they still don't know any other world.
ReplyDeleteI figure that taking them to the 9/11 Memorials are important, because they need to know why their Dad is always gone now. What caused it, why it's our normal.
I also wondered why, after 10 years, this is still so raw for us. I think that it always will be to a certain extent, because the world changed that day. But also, I think that the continued waffling in purpose makes the wound less able to heal. The arguments over cause, the inability of people to work together... It all keeps the wound as raw as lemon juice in a paper cut.
The ever-eloquent Cass wrote a wonderful Two Americas piece:
http://www.villainouscompany.com/vcblog/archives/2010/09/two_americas_1.html
That sums it up pretty well for me, I think.
AFW, thank you for the link. Cass's piece is both riveting and heartfelt.
ReplyDelete