Since the millennium began, two significant events seem to resonate somber, sobering feelings of anxieties Americans refer to in terms of eras of uncertainty. The last in 2020 challenged the entire world when the nation locked down for a period of time in order to stem the spread of the coronavirus which caused millions to die.
The time-frame, now referred to as the COVID-era parallels fears felt following an unsuspected coordinated attack involving four commercial airplanes commandeered by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001 coined the pre-9/11 era.
Both events wreaked havoc in America.
While the pandemic caused a global effect, here in New York City on that memorable September date, a continent paused to realize the frailties of the nation.
Nineteen Islamists loyalist to Osama bin-Laden and Al-Qaeda admitted their mission to hijack airplanes destined for California, and in their determination crashed two in this city and others at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Hell-bent on a suicide mission, four fanatics transformed to mass murderers succeeded in their quest, and along with a reported 2,977 American work force were killed.
When the smoke cleared another 6,000 to 25,000 individuals were permanently scarred from injuries incurred.
However, each anniversary since then casualties of the exposure add to the list.
Eye-witnesses recall that an American Airlines’ carrier and a United Airlines’ spaced 16-minutes apart collided with Twin Towers in lower Manhattan.
The 110-story high skyscrapers were among the tallest structures in the entire world. Laden with shops and other attractions, the edifice and its plaza attracted tourists of all ilk. Corporations and offices also occupied the space.
As a matter of fact, the Twin Towers defined a unique skyline that distinguished NYC from any other destination.
The tragic incident is recorded as the deadliest terrorist attack in human history.
President George W. George ascribed “The Steel of American Resolve” as a metaphor definitive of how American citizens reacted to the massacre.
“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundation of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”
Since then the Freedom Tower (One World Trade Center) an even taller structure replaced the violated space and according to Wikipedia ‘stands as a symbol of America standing tall amid trauma.’
At 1776 feet high, its historical significance pays tribute to the birth of the nation. The destructed edifice towered at 1,368 feet.
Once again, the dark days following Sept. 11 is returning with sad memories of lost souls, an unstable world, fragile surroundings and the reality of inevitable occurrences.
Although the emblems of the pandemic era linger with return to mask wearing due to an uptick in hospitalizations, positive COVID-19 figures surging to an uneasy high, families of victims from the fall of the Twin Towers remain aggrieved that their loved ones went to work and never returned home.
Deprived of being parents, grandparents, siblings, relatives and friends, their legacies are constant reminders that will be evident when the annual rollcall is read by bereaved widows, widowers and their now adult off-springs who annually pay tribute to their sacrifice.
Television stations will likely re-play the plane crashes that caused the structures to collapse.
And a 9/11 Ground Zero Memorial and Museum will open its doors to thousands willing to place a flower or pay homage to the victims. Dignitaries will revisit the sacred spot and although seared in our minds, the black smoke that choked multitudes as they tried to escape the inferno indelibly scars the date, 22 years have passed and a generation might comprehend the vulnerabilities faced with citizenry.
This year again, two blue, beams of light will penetrate the skies in recall of the two towers that symbolized freedom.
Catch You On The Inside!
