I was in Long Island this year. Eerily it was the same type of day as in 2001, sunny, in the 70’s, with a beautiful blue sky. In the morning I watched some of the memorial. What was touching was how these survivors of family members who died that day, are still so affected and hearing from children who were not born at the time or very young that lost fathers and mothers, tearfully express their losses. Very emotional for all, including myself.
Later that evening we watched a show on CNN that was never released before. It followed a photographer that day as he went from firehouse to the towers. Lots of interviews with fire fighters who survived, telling the stories of those who didn’t. Footage in the lobby of the buildings, with fire fighters trying to get people out. A 911 operator talking to a woman on the 83rd floor, trying to calm her and staying on the phone with her, as the woman fearing her death, until the building collapsed and there was no longer a connection. Footage of people jumping. Stories of fire fighters on the roof of the Marriott, with body parts falling down on them.
My mother-in-law saying it was a reenactment, with my husband forcibly telling her it was not! If we weren’t there, she never would have watched any remembrance of 9/11. I personally cannot keep away from any stories that arise from this horrible day.
Former President Bush gave a speech in Pennsylvania about fighting terrorism. He brought up the point of fighting foreign threats but also home grown terrorists, targeting the uprising on January 6, 2021, as in the same vein. Anything that threatens our democracy and federal institutions. I personally was glad to hear it. President Biden and his wife were in NY, PA, and at the Pentagon. Along with former President Bush, presidents Obama, and Clinton also were in PA. Notably missing was former President Trump, who I heard made his own statement, which I didn’t hear.