Today is the seventh anniversary of September 11. The first anniversary for me in New York City. I must say I was pleased to see flags at half mast. They had a ceremony at Ground Zero this morning with President Bush, Giuliani, and both presidential candidates. I did not go, had to work. Ironically I pulled up the news online at the exact moment of the anniversary. Being in AZ at the time, it was three hours off so I had forgotten it was just before 9am.
I was also pleased to hear that all mud-slinging campaign ads were suspended for the day. It’s a shame they have to run them in the first place.
As I was riding into work I was looking around at the hundred or so fellow train passengers around me, wondering if I was the only one thinking about the events of that day.
Last night I went to dinner with a new friend. He was telling me that on that day he was three blocks away at work. He actually experienced the dust cloud and debris. It’s so easy to keep a distance when all you experience is what you see on the TV. After dinner we walked down to the vicinity of Ground Zero (not actually to the spot, but near). I wanted to get a good view of the “Tribute in Light” they have every year. I had seen it Monday from Queens, but wanted to actually experience it from Manhattan. I was amazed to see how far up into the sky they went. It was cloudy so they were cut off for the most part. But there was one moment when the clouds parted around them and they seemed to go on forever. Fitting.
I know this is all silly, but it’s my way of remembering all the people who lost their lives on a day that changed of course of our countries history.
I only hope that you gave it some thought too.