9/11 In remembrance

[Sirpent]

In remembrance.

 

I know this is totally off topic, and perhaps an inappropriate thread, I will leave you all to decide.

 

I have been watching the 9/11 series of documentaries over the past few nights, and they have brought back many memories, so much so that I have felt anguish on many an occasion while doing so.

 

I have always believed that we are the sum total of our experiences, those experiences never limited by just circumstances but also by the physicality's in which we experienced them, 23 years ago at the age of 23, I was lucky enough to visit NYC and spent over a week there, and like any other tourist visited the sites.

 

For the many on this site that haven't had the opportunity to do so as yet, all I can say is it should be put somewhere on your personal "Bucket List" NYC to put it in simple terms would still seem Titanic in size even if you were to take Melbourne Sydney and Brisbane and bring them together as one and then compare the 2 against one and other, its just that gigantuine.

 

But just as immense in terms of stature is the pulse and determination of its inhabitants, I'm proud to be a Melbournian, but I have seen New Yorker's and they truly embody the essence of the American spirit, its patriotism and pride.

 

I stood on the observation level at the World Trade Centre and looked out on NYC, the photos below are a few I took, it was spectacular no matter where one looked, I felt the cold glass against my face as I attempted to look down the side of the building, and felt the buildings pulse as it braved the forces from the outside late December weather buffeting against it, that was a defining moment, one of those experiences I mentioned earlier.

 

Later I visited Liberty Island and read these immortal words

 

Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shores. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

 

On September 11, 2001, I was preparing to have spinal surgery, and watched in horror the entire night as I watched the 2nd plane hit, the jumpers, and eventually the buildings fall, on 3AW the next day I listened to a caller who thought it was tragic but was being over dramatised, I rang in and explained that for anyone who had been there, stood where I had and experienced them, that the effect was devastating, and so it was even as I laid in hosital a week later watching the 24/7 coverage of the rescue attempts which turned into a recovery attempt.

 

There are 2 reasons I wanted to post this, first in remembrance and secondly to also say that just like those towers which added to the sum total of who I am in some small way, I also wanted to thank every person on this site I have had the privilege of interacting with for making it what it is and adding another degree of value and purpose to my journey.

 

John.

[peter mc]

nice word john ,it hard to believe its ten years , it changed the world that we live in like no other event . on a different note its nearly a year that we have known each other and your friendship has been a grate help in my life so thanks for remembering

[620Z]

Amen brothers.

[PeterAllen]

A few years ago I was a ground zero and I was able to wipe ashes from the crevices in the surfaces of buildings around the site.

 

The ash reminded me of the fact that more people have die as a result of blue asbestos mining at Wittenoom than die in 9/11. Those morally bankrupt corporate bastards at James Hardie are, to my mind, on a par with al Qaeda. It’s shameful that our media and legal system don’t give equal exposure and response to this issue.

 

[zr240]

I dont think we will ever know how it really happened but it was a another terrible time in history.

 

There are soo many dodge things that go on in the world and the media jump on whatever they think gets the most ratings!

 

Its all very sad

 

Ash

[mossy]

Very sad, i think there is still a lot of health issues too related to all the dust from the collapse.

[luvemfast]

Not to forget, the 140,000 civilians killed in the "War on Terror"

 

Twas the eeriest day I can recall.

Driving to work listening to the radio, but I was all alone. The roads were empty. I'll never forget it, yet it seemed like a dream/nightmare.