Where were you on 9/11/2001
I recall 9/11, as if I could ever forget, because it was the beginning of the end of so many things in my life. It was the beginning of the failure of my IT consulting company, it was the awakening of my countrymen to the truth about the world we live in, it was beginning of the acidic cynicism in my heart that will no doubt be my eventual demise.
I awoke from my couch at the prodding of my 12 year old son. The television was on - FOX News. The cobwebs cleared to see one of the towers with a gaping gash. Debris spewing out of its wound, papers littered the sky line huge snowflakes. The news was still speculating that it may have been an accident when a second jet flew into the second tower.
My heart dropped. I wished ALL Muslims dead. Yes, I knew before they said it that Islam was responsible. I recall saying, and now regret, that "Millions of Muslims have to die to avenge what they have done" - be careful what you wish for.
As time went on I watched in horror as people leapt from the windows, preferring the fall to the fire - I can't blame them. Stunned I watched this massive World Trade Center collapsed, knowing that thousands of AMERICANS, men and women who just went to work, had died before my eyes.
Time passed. I called my children's schools - they wouldn't be going for the foreseeable future. I told my wife to take off from work - she did. My family wouldn't be leaving the house until we knew that at least the world around us was secure.
I drove to my office 3 hours late and dismissed everyone for the day - I told them to be home with their families. We didn't know what was going to happen next and I didn't expect many calls for service (how right I was). I remember sitting in my silent office and crying in anger.
My business failed as clients held tight their wallets for several months- uncertainty breeds caution, no one is to blame.
I am still angry.
I awoke from my couch at the prodding of my 12 year old son. The television was on - FOX News. The cobwebs cleared to see one of the towers with a gaping gash. Debris spewing out of its wound, papers littered the sky line huge snowflakes. The news was still speculating that it may have been an accident when a second jet flew into the second tower.
My heart dropped. I wished ALL Muslims dead. Yes, I knew before they said it that Islam was responsible. I recall saying, and now regret, that "Millions of Muslims have to die to avenge what they have done" - be careful what you wish for.
As time went on I watched in horror as people leapt from the windows, preferring the fall to the fire - I can't blame them. Stunned I watched this massive World Trade Center collapsed, knowing that thousands of AMERICANS, men and women who just went to work, had died before my eyes.
Time passed. I called my children's schools - they wouldn't be going for the foreseeable future. I told my wife to take off from work - she did. My family wouldn't be leaving the house until we knew that at least the world around us was secure.
I drove to my office 3 hours late and dismissed everyone for the day - I told them to be home with their families. We didn't know what was going to happen next and I didn't expect many calls for service (how right I was). I remember sitting in my silent office and crying in anger.
My business failed as clients held tight their wallets for several months- uncertainty breeds caution, no one is to blame.
I am still angry.
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I was on duty in the Pentagon not far from where the terrorist airplane hit the building. My family thought I was dead as they did not hear from me for over 5 hours afterwards. After evacuation, I was involved with rescue and aid efforts throughout the day. Several weeks later a lady stopped me in the hallway and said: "You saved my life that day." At one point during the day I was in the inner "park" when we were told to take cover as the fourth plane which later crashed in Pennsylvania was headed inbound to D.C. Parts of the airplane which hit the Pentagon were scattered all around us. But, for my family, the day would have even longer-range tragic effects; my son was killed in 2005 during the War on Terror. How grateful I am that President Bush was President when this tragedy occurred. He was a true Commander-in-Chief.
Just one last thought. Twelve years have passed, but we as a nation have not learned from the tragedy of 9-11-01. Even as our enemies then thought America was weak because our leadership in the years since the first attack in 1993 on the World Trade Center and, then the bombings of American embassies had not responded, our enemies now know that once again American leadership is weak. Throughout history, American presidents and congressional leadership have stood strong against enemy attacks against freedom: Revolutionary War, War of 1812, War Against Tripoli Pirates, Texas War for Freedom from Mexico, American Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Granada, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan. But, no longer. The president of today and the congressional leadership have told the world: you can do whatever you want to destroy freedom, and America will not respond: Benghazi is the prime example of presidential leadership that will only lead to another 9-11-01. Do not be surprised when it happens again!
I woke up that morning around 1000 hours and turned on my shortwave radio to listen to the BBC. While puttering around the apartment I heard that the Twin Towers were hit. Perplexed, I turned on the television and watched my world fall.
I called loved ones to make sure they were OK. I finally got a hold of my lover at the time and reassured her.
When I got to work later that week, I remember how quiet the skies were and saw the cars festooned with American flags.
To think my brother was at the Twin Towers the Monday before still gives me great pause.
We're still in NYC, still trying to leave, buffeted by creative destruction.
Hope to see you at the Gulch.
"It was not the last time Americans would curb civil liberties for the sake of national security." Page 313
I add this quote because this has always happened and I think one of the best ways to combat it is to be educated about these things and then try to fight them.
We as a people are so willing to put it behind us its important to keep it personal and relevant.
Objectively: its how we prevent it from happening again.
2. If you don't like peoples' personal stories, don't read them. There is no big philosophical dilemma here.
3. My comment in this post addresses those two concerns
Why is this question asked every annivesary of 9/11/2001? Seems rather selfish to me, but since that is the point of Objectivism, perhaps it is most suitable in this forum.
Thoughts?
Why does it matter at all where "I" was...isn't it more important to understand what happened and prevent such in the future if possible?
My wife, a police officer on 9/11/01, was supposed to get off shift that morning but didn't come home until 5pm because nobody left her agency until exhaustion set in. I wouldn't see her for almost another full day as I was held over on my 24hr shift for another 12hours.
Finally being able to see one another on the morning of September 13th when she got off shift was... moving.
We are both retired from Public Safety and are deep into the third chapter of our lives.
I am sad for all of my friends who lost family that day. One of my closest friends lost his father on 9/11 - a PAPD ESU cop - he is now a NYC firefighter. Another friend just had to retire because of the damage to his lungs from the dust... he can barely speak 5 words without coughing.
We all manage to laugh every day, even today, even though it is masking the pain.
That's where we were... and where we are now.
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