Today, September 11, 2014, New York City gathered to remember the terrorist attacks in 2001. This time was different though because the event was held at a museum near the rebuilt One World Trade Center.
On this day in 2001, a plot by al-Qaida terrorists came to fruition when an aircraft full of innocent passengers was flown directly into one of the twin towers and brought it down. News reporters witnessing the attacks in person immediately turned their cameras to the sky as the second plane commandeered by terrorists hit the second tower with identical results. Another plane crashed into the Pentagon , making it very clear that terrorists were here to send a message.
A fourth plane, intended for the White House or the U.S. Capitol Building, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after the passengers attacked the hijackers with the now immortal cry of “Let’s Roll.” During the desperate struggle, the terrorist at the controls was able to fly the plane into the ground, killing everyone on board. Thanks to the brave efforts of the patriots on Flight 93, the White House and the Capitol Building still stand proud watch over America.
The United States was officially at war with Al-Qaida and its leader Osama Bin Laden after the loss of 2,753 people revealed a very real threat.
After these attacks, airports across the nation stepped up security and made it a routine to check for anything that could be used as a weapon. Even our shoes became suspect. National security never hit the U.S. so hard before.
This morning, September 11 , 2014, hundreds gathered at the National September 11 Museum to pay their respects and mourn those lost in the attacks, as well as the bombing in 1993. At the same time, across the nation, Americans bowed their heads in solemn remembrance of the day that changed our lives and our country forever.
A solemn reading of the names of nearly 3,000 people who died was among the only sounds breaking the sobs of grief from family members and friends. This same ritual is done every year on the same day, but for the first time, a museum pays tribute to the nearly rebuilt One World Trade Center as a symbol of renewed faith as well as renewed fears.
In addition to the rebuilt wonder, the salvaged belongings of those who died are now on display throughout the museum on September 11, 2014.
Some in attendance have noticeably forgotten why the museum was built, recalls Nancy Nee, whose brother George Cain was killed in the attacks. She told the press, “Instead of a quiet place of reflection, it’s where kids are running around. Some people forget this is a cemetery. I would never go to the Holocaust museum and take a selfie.”
Others merely appreciate the majesty of the newly rebuilt One World Trade Center, like Debra Burlingame , whose brother Charles Burlingame was the pilot of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon.
“When I first saw (One World Trade Center), it really made my heart sing. It does every time I see it because it’s so symbolic of what the country went through.”
In spite of President Obama’s much-criticized speech to mark the occasion, September 11, 2014, is the first time that the One World Trade Center was commemorated from the National September 11 Museum.
Never forget.
[images via abandoningpretense.com – kevinwebb22.com – HNN Blogs ]