Sunday, September 11, 2005

A Day Like No Other * The following post is somewhat long and somber.  Feel free to move past it.  While most people--including me--took part in the Sunday revelry that is the return of NFL football, I must admit that I spent some time pondering the horrific events that transpired on this date four years ago.  With the aftermath of Katrina fresh on everyone's minds, the signifcance of September 11, 2001 is heightened further.  The day was much like today.  It was a beautful early September morning.  The skies were clear and blue, and I had said to myself that it was going to be a beautiful day.  My coworkers and I left the office briefly for coffee, and one of our coworkers called to mention what had happened.  He also called our student office to bring out the Gateway Destination, making sure that it was turned on for us to monitor the coverage of the events.  As events continued, I returned to my office to do work.  I did not get much work done that day, as I was interrupted by flurries of emails and instant messages from friends about one of our friends who worked for American Express at the World Financial Center--an office that was adjacent to the Twin Towers.  We were able to track him down the next day, and we were glad to hear that he was safe and sound in Brooklyn with his girlfriend at the time.  My workout at the gym was met without the usual student crowds--at the time I worked out at the Campus Recreation Center on campus.  I remember the drive home from the office that day, and how eerily calm I-95 was on the trip north from College Park to Baltimore.  There were no airplanes in sight, as all planes had been grounded.  There were fewer cars on the road, as most federal government employees had already left the District earlier in the day.  When I arrived home, I turned on the coverage on ABC, listening to Peter Jennings late into the night.  The event was truly surreal, and obviously one that would not be forgotten.  I was drawn to it even more, given my interest in international relations from college.  That is one of the primary reasons I purchased and read The 9/11 Commission Report.  The report is truly an amazing feat.  Others have commented on its findings, but after hearing some of the public hearings the Commission conducted in the Spring of 2004 I could not resist reading it.  It is certainly an interesting read, and it describes how truly incognizant previous administrations were to the threat of international terrorism.  The recommendations the Commission made are also something one should read--especially in light of Katrina's aftermath.  Looking back, I am still touched by the events.  This afternoon, while flipping around the cable dial, HBO re-aired In Memoriam: New York City, 9/11/01.  Watching those images reminded me of the events of that day again.  Sure, I did not live in New York nor was I effected directly by the tragic loss of human lives.  Nonetheless, I, and all of us, were effected by the events of that day.  Life goes on, and it should.  We should never forget what occurred on that day--much like we should not forget events such as the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Holocaust.  My small remembrance here is not nearly as poignant nor as poetic as others, but it is my effort to remember those who were directly and indirectly effected by the events on this day four years ago.  11:37:29 PM    comment []  trackback []

Frank Said it Best 11:37:16 PM    comment []  trackback []