By Karla Sullivan
While remembering my own place in time when the Twin Towers fell, I decided to ask others about their memories of 9/11.
One recalls sitting in a Freshman English class in college and someone running into class to say that the World Trade Center had been attacked. Class, too, was dismissed for the day. And another was asleep but awakened by his hysterical father who was telling him to get up and watch the news, that the country was doomed.
What would happen next? But then someone who overheard my curiosity about remembering 9/11 spoke three quiet but penetrating words, “I was there.”
She began her recollection of 9/11 describing a gorgeous, cloudless day on Church Street in New York City, visiting a friend from school, when she the saw the first plane crash and thought it was an accident. When the second plane hit, she knew that it was not an accident. A fireman grabbed her and her friend, having them hide; protected underneath a fire truck. It seemed like time had stood still under that truck…would they kill us all? She listened to the desperate screams, sirens blaring but then an eerie silence along with the smell of sulfur. Days later, it was like a disaster film as people wandered the streets of New York. It changed her life, her dreams and she joined the police force because of its effects
It has now been 13 years since that horrific day our country was attacked in September, 2001. Although the years continue to roll by, the memories of that day will live with us forever. Vivid images of lives lost and demonstrations of bravery remain burned in our minds as Mississippi Department of Insurance, Mike Chaney Commissioner expresses.
One of the most compelling images he remembers from September 11, 2001 is a photograph taken by an individual in the stairwell of Tower II, as people were descending to escape destruction and danger. These individuals were met by a group of firefighters going up the stairs, toward the flames. As others were fleeing, these heroes were answering the call of duty by walking without hesitation into the face of danger and death. Never before has there been a greater illustration of the sacrifices that firefighters, police officers and other first responders make in service to their fellow man. On this day, as we remember, we honor those first responders who have given all, as well as those who continue to serve. May the guiding hand of Providence be with you as you go toward the flames to protect us.
Can we give ourselves high marks for reflecting on the lives lost, families stricken and the brave responders who didn’t think twice about their own welfare but tried to create calm within the storm? If we can always remember exactly where we were at the time tragedy claimed our attention, we can take time to today to honor those whose lives will be forever impacted by the tragedy of September 11, 2001.
