9/11

This is something that I have drafted exactly a year ago for the school paper but wasn't published. Since today is the tragedy's anniversary, I like to share it with you.

THE DAY THE WORLD SAW EVIL

By Patricia Denise Magisa

(Written 9/11/10)

        Ten years had passed since that day in September when the sky was clear and at its prettiest shade of blue that suddenly turned into a gray atmosphere of flying debris and ashes. It was now a decade since that unforgettable tragedy. It was a truly unexpected event in history when the world saw with their eyes true evil.

ONE TUESDAY, THE ELEVENTH OF SEPTEMBER.

       On this day, one of the worst terrorist attacks in the world had shaken the emotions of people not only in the United States but as well as the whole world.

     It was the morning of that tragic day in 2001 when terrorists hijacked four passenger planes, which they used to crash into the famous skyscraper, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, together with another important infrastructure in the States which is the Pentagon.

     In the span of 18 minutes, the terrorists were able to successfully crash into the North and South Tower of the World Trade Center killing nearly three thousand people involved including more than two hundred passengers onboard the high jacked planes.

       Lots of families had lost a loved one. Children had missed the farewell of their mother and father. People who died did not get the chance to say I love you or sorry to one another. Millions of people have tried to be stronger for everyone.

IT WAS NOW TEN YEARS, BUT THE MEMORIES ARE STILL VIVID

       It had become a yearly activity for the world to reminisce this dark period in history and of course just like any other sad moments in every one’s life, trying to remembering these comes with pain and agony.

      Ten years after and it seems like the world was still in grief. A speech by the US President Obama started the anniversary. He spoke with the words that came from his heart and with optimism that even in a little way, it will lift the spirits of those who lost their loved ones.

    A part of his speech says, “Yet today, it is worth remembering what has not changed. Our character as a nation has not changed. Our faith - in God and each other - that has not changed. Our belief in America, born of a timeless ideal that men and women should govern themselves; that all people are created equal, and deserve the same freedom to determine their own destiny - that belief, through test and trials, has only been strengthened.”

IN MEMORIAM

      The families of the victims gathered together in the 9/11 Memorial, a place where the names of the 2,982 men, women and children that were killed in the attacks —in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon—and in the February 26, 1993 World Trade Center bombing,  were displayed.

      The memorial place did not only exist in memoriam of those who departed that day. It also brings the people together just like the way that we saw everybody held their hands after the attacks. 

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE WORLD STOPPED TURNING?

     I was eight years young then when I saw (in the news) a plane hitting a skyscraper. Honestly years ago, I didn’t know that place, I was not familiar of the building. But it seemed like it is something that I need to know since I see that everybody is in a state of shock, in a period of extreme horror.

 I went to school that morning after hearing the news and everybody, including my classmates were talking about it. At young age, we have seen how evil is evil and how black can be even be blacker.

 I may not know any of the victims personally but I remember how I’ve seen and felt the emotions in the faces of those who have lost them. Their expressions are bitter but they have to hold on to what is still in store for them.

 How about you? Can you share me  your 9/11 experience?