Remembering 9/11

It has never ceased to amaze me how a nation can come together after a tragedy and provide support to those who are suffering.

September 11 was no exception.

Ten years ago, when the world trade center was attacked, nearly 3,000 people were killed—and the whole world stopped to watch in horror.

Now, we keep those who were lost during this tragic time in permanent remembrance. On Monday, September 12, the World Trade Center memorial was opened to the public.

Remembering those loved and lost

Americans and people from all over the world gathered together to see the victim’s names inscribed on beautiful bronze panels surrounding the memorial pools. These massive pools are the so called “foot prints” of the twin towers.

Every detail was created thoughtfully, out of respect to both the living and the dead. The design is amazing, and the calming rush of the waterfalls fades out the everyday noise of city traffic, allowing quiet meditation and contemplation of the events that took place one decade ago.

Although the memorial cannot bring back those who were killed during the attacks, it does grant us a small piece of mind: that no matter what happens, those we love will never be truly lost.

Tickets to visit the memorial are available, and to find out more about the memorial you can visit this site.

Paying Respect on a Local Scale

Such a massive event didn’t affect just a single city, but an entire nation. Much smaller tributes and memorials popped up across the US as citizens paid their respect to those who were affected by the 9/11 attacks.

At Utah Valley University, Matthew Holland, a published scholar stated in his tribute to that fateful day, “Property, peace and precious life were destroyed that day, on a scale that still makes our souls mourn, and in a way that has forever changed the way that we travel, govern and defend ourselves,” he said. “Yet here we are, millions upon millions of us. We sing and pray. We laugh and lounge. We toil and tour and trade, and we do so in the land still best described as a land of freedom.”

Payson Senior High School, a small-town high school in Utah valley, released 250 red and blue balloons into the sky following a commemoration ceremony and musical bagpipe number.

In Bayport-Blue Point High School, the students constructed a mini museum featuring memorabilia from September 11. These were displayed in the school’s lobby for an entire week, and many are encouraged to visit the collection.

The tributes even reached as far as Belfast, Ireland. Hundreds of people gathered to commemorate the 9/11 attacks, showing their support during a poignant service outside their city hall while similar tributes were held in London, Glasgow, and Birmingham.

In memory of those lost
In honor of those who died during the 9/11 attack, countless songs, poems, and books were composed to help ease the pain of those left behind. One poem touched me deeply, submitted by a 7th grade student, Hannah Schoechert, I leave you with these inspiration words.