Vacations Blog

This Thursday is the 7th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11.  I still remember where I was and the slow unrolling of sad stories during the next few days.  My sister called and said, “We are under attack. Turn on the TV.”  The first statement I did not believe, the second made me think it was a joke.  Moments later, I was dismayed to see the truth of her words displayed before me on CNN and every other news station.

I went to New York a few weeks later for a business trip and saw the gaping hole and the sad work of the firefighters.  I followed the story  fairly closely for a while—the strength of the New Yorkers, the funeral processions, the ensuing discussion about what to do next.

Memorial march in honor of 9/11, Washington, D.C

The questions of how to rebuild and how to create something better than before were tough to answer.

But as time passed, like many Americans, I just watched the story unfold in the remote corners of my life until last week when I visited New York again and I saw the rebuilding of the World Trade Center and National Tribute to the victims. Surprisingly, during my visit, the attack on the city came up repeatedly in conversation. It still permeates New Yorkers’ lives. Everyone I met remembered the exact moment they heard the news and their reactions of horror, fear and an overwhelming desire to help.  I realized the rebuilding is needed in New York.  It is right and it helps heal and it is what we do as part of  living. Rebuild what has been attacked, rebuild what is falling apart and the healing begins.  Trite phrases that shouted a powerful truth to me as I saw it in action. The new design is a rising of hope and a testament to our country and our people.  We will not be beaten down. We rise up.

 My friend has just taken an apartment directly across the street from Ground Zero.  She will be living next to the construction for the next five years and doesn’t mind.

National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, NY, NY

To her, the rebuilding of Ground Zero, now called the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center is a monument  to those who lost their lives and to the future of our country.  It represents the best part of America. The discourse of public opinion, public consideration by public and private officials, a long process to make sure all options are  considered and finally a decision to  build something that will live for centuries. The design was selected from 5,200 submissions from 63 nations. It will be built by people working together from all over the world, visited by people from every country, every religion and every culture.

Osama may send another plane or unleash another evil attack, but he can’t destroy that part of my country that accepts all people and all religions.  The pilgrims did a good thing, they came for freedom of religion and gave the next wave of immigrants the same freedom from the moment their feet hit American soil.  I wish Mr. Bin Laden did the same.

Statue of Liberty photo  by acnatta.