Did you hear the bell ring for the 9/11 fallen heroes yesterday? 24 years ago, New York City first responders, police, firemen, and newscasters flooded the streets and the media with traumatic news. People ran from their buildings under a shower of dust and darkness. Cement covered the streets as people tried to find a passage over the Brooklyn Bridge. While I did not witness all of this in person, I felt the weight of fear and grief as did the Village of Rockville Centre in Long Island, New York, where I lived.
Forty-nine people in my village died during the 9/11 catastrophe. The Patch news named it the "deadliest terror attack on American soil". Of those people, Cantor Fitzgerald, American financial services firm, lost the most lives, one of whom was the mother of my daughter's senior high school friend. Because their friend suffered such a loss, my daughter and her two friends organized a candlelight vigil parade. Three hundred people gathered together. Tears flowed throughout this silent passage from the high school througout the village. For a long while life was worrisome. Memorials were erected so people could remember that horrible day in 2001 and be hopeful about the future.
I remember September 11th each year and so does the world. Families gather together to honor their fallen loved ones. A bell tolls like the sound of grief. Names of 9/11 victims are read as tears flow like water. Now life continues with a different thought. It is the time to bind the world together as a connected global society. Rid the world of hatred and unkindness to find peace.
September 11th
Bind us… such a simple, beautiful prayer of remembrance and hope. We need both, still.
ReplyDeleteYes. Thank you, Patricia for joining me here with the same feelings as I have about bind together with others and being unified.
DeleteI remember, Carol. My goodness...49 souls from your village. I agree with Patricia the call to "Bind us" is what we need.
ReplyDeleteLinda, 9/11 occurred a long time ago but the memories come back each year. We all need to stand in the gap! I am thankful that our PF community are all committed to stand in the gap.
Delete"hatred extinguished and unity established" - this is what we must strive for always. Thank you for your heartfelt post and reflective haibun, Carol.
ReplyDeleteRose, it is amazing that our PF community have the same values. Thanks for hosting and for sending me a comment.
DeleteMy goodness, what a terrible loss for your community. When I was teaching, I always struggled to teach about 9/11 because I got emotional. I’ll never forget the day, what I was doing, how I felt, and how our entire world changed. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteYes, Margaret, no matter where you lived in the USA, unity and sorrow followed. There were those who lost family immediately and others who were stricken with illnesses from being by being part of the groups that cared for others on 9/11. Newspapers were always sending information out about this. Prayers were said in the churches. That year was a difficult one for everyone I knew.
DeleteThanks for sharing your memories of that day. So sad that so many died from your village! I remember casually watching the morning news when the second plane hit the WTC. Shocking! I called my parents in Hawaii right away, told them to turn on the TV. Praying for peace.
ReplyDelete"hatred / swept across the sky" - powerful, Carol. I didn't know about your personal experience of 9/11. It felt so scary, but also so far away as I watched from Minnesota. I'm betting lots of memories pour in each year on this date. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteLaura, there were so many stories coming from my neighborhood. Unity as a community helped everyone move through the village with commitment to always remember.
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