Slice of Life: September 11, 2001 - Never forget

Where were you? On September 11, 2001, most of us can recall where we were when we heard the news. The United States of America was attacked on our own soil by the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda. American lives were taken, not lost, but rudely and brutally taken. Buildings were destroyed and financial loss to our country ensued. Fear became a palatable part of the fabric of America. Terrorism had reached our soil in a large way, and many responded with paralyzing fear. Fear that kept them home, fear to travel, fear of the unknown, fear of Muslims.

Living on the West Coast at the time I was just waking up to start my day. Our daughter rushed into our bedroom to tell her father and I, “Some guy flew a plane into a building somewhere, come look.” We all gathered around the TV, watching replays in shock. I felt detached, this can’t truly be happening. The death and destruction we witnessed was not a made for TV movie but real life, real lives. I heard the fear start to creep into my then preteen daughter’s voice. The safe world we had created for her, and all our children, was no longer safe. Evil had raised its ugly head and crashed not only into the Twin Towers, but into the lives of all Americans. Where were you when 2,996 people perished that September day?

Twenty-one years ago for many is old history. We live in a world where headlines change daily, disasters and wars are briefly of focus before the next disaster takes over. We run the risk of headline fatigue trying to keep on top of all that is happening. For this reason, 9/11/01 for many was long ago and is nothing more than a blurb in history books. Americans no longer question the changes put into place in our country since the attack. Airport security? Young people can not imagine just being able to walk into an airport and get on a plane without being searched and having their luggage inspected.

The creation of the Department of Homeland Security, who monitors the TSA, was implemented to secure borders and keep America safe from terrorism post 9/11/01. There has never been an agency with a broader reach of search and seizure in the history of our country. From searching luggage and persons to monitoring cell phone usage and credit cards transactions, Homeland Security has immense power to monitor for threats. September 11, 2001, brought in a change to constitutionally protected privacy rights with not a whisper of dissent from the citizens. I have often been reminded of the quote by Benjamin Franklin stating, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” And yet, we are living in this new world. Are we safer? Could another attack be in the making with the flood of refugees at the southern border? Only time will show us.

For many who survived the attacks, those living far from New York, Pennsylvania, or the Potomac River outside D.C., we did not survive unscathed. Much of the financial loss of 9/11 came from the aerospace industry. Airlines, critical to the success of industry and manufacturing were for all intents and purposes shut down long past the two days all planes were grounded. Flights were cancelled, vacations scrapped. People were afraid to fly. Businesses involved in the manufacture of airplanes ground to a standstill. According to John Challenger of Computerworld.com, from September 11, 2001, to the end of February 2002, job losses totaled 2,523,217. The deepest cuts were in the transportation industry with 226,674 jobs lost and in aerospace/defense contracting where 138,937 people lost their income. The impact of the 9/11 terrorists traveled far from the impact centers. Many lost their life savings trying to re-establish businesses in the aerospace industry. Some took their own lives, feeling helpless and unable to think of starting over. Devastation and fear shook this nation for more than the 24 hours of 9/11/2001.

And yet, in time, we adapted. We, as a nation, went full tilt against terrorism. We took out terrorist leaders, we broke apart terrorist cells, we began to feel safe again. But I hope we never forget. I pray we never again need to worry about entering a football stadium or airport. I pray we can look to all nations and all people with love in our hearts instead of fear. But I also believe the basis of being able to do so is to realize evil will most likely raise its ugly head again. Somewhere, sometime. History shows us that. And to prevent that from happening we need to study history. Without knowing history how can we stop it from repeating?

So where were you on September 11, 2001? Can you take a moment to share your story with a younger person, to let history live? Take a quiet moment to reflect on the brave firefighters and police officers who ran into the danger? Many of whom are fighting terminal illness now from toxins they were exposed to during their heroic efforts then. Perhaps take a moment to listen to Mark Knopfler sing “If This Is Goodbye” with Emmylou Harris, a song he wrote from the perspective of a person trapped in the towers, not knowing if it was to be their last phone call with a loved one. Perhaps, just take a moment to remember, and to pray, never again.

Chelle is a recovering social worker who currently works as a licensed massage therapist at Cherry Creek Myotherapy. She moved to Montana with her husband David and two pups, Lucas and Turner, where they seek “the quiet life” amid new adventures.