On Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, a series of terrorist attacks orchestrated by a terrorist organization known as al-Qaeda took the lives of almost 3,000 people and wounded over 6,000 others. This marks one of the deadliest attacks bestowed upon America.
In one of the darkest hours in American history, families across the nation wallowed in fear and despair as they watched the destruction of the World Trade Center caused by two hijacked aircrafts.
Several firefighters and first responders fought to save the lives of wandering citizens and people trapped within the aftermath and with over 300 firemen killed that day, many paid the ultimate price to protect.
The following event led to the beginning of the global war on terrorism, America’s longest war against the Islamic State, which still rages on to this very day.
Although many of us were too young to vividly remember the actions that took place almost two decades ago, we at the Sentinel acknowledge the anniversary of a time when America came together in the wake of terror and pulled each other up in open arms. The following excerpts provide reflection from the editorial staff on 9/11.
Luke Garnder, Arts and Living Editor
In times designated for remembering tragedy, we must stand together against the threat of terror and not be misled by the forces that seek to divide us. We must remember that terrorism and other extreme acts of violence, that the robbing of innocent lives, is a plague faced by the whole of humanity and perpetuated by members of every government and every religion. What looks on the surface to be a random act of violence is but one example of the pitfall of the human condition, the manipulative ideas of hierarchy and divisiveness. What happened on Sept. 11, 2001, is no different from any other senseless act of terror that has robbed human lives. It was a calculated attack, fueled by the ideals of religious and/or governmental supremacy, that resulted in a devastating tragedy. May this day remind us to question the narratives of the state, to celebrate those whose lives have been stolen and, most importantly, to bring our awareness and aid to other humans currently fleeing global scenarios of war, terror and genocide. I pray that we understand that an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, not just as U.S. citizens, but as a human race.
Kevin Barrett, Photo Editor
While visiting the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, I remember standing in awe of the two fountains which sank deep into Ground Zero. Much like that of the Vietnam Memorial, a faint glimmer of your reflection stares back at you as your eyes read over a fraction of the nearly 3,000 names that dawn the fountains. Following a brief stroll around the grounds, I descended into the museum. Giant pieces of twisted metal and destroyed fire trucks, most of which have been untouched since 2001, hauntingly tower above me. Small artifacts such as shoes, cell phones and wallets sit in a room engulfed by the faces of the lives lost. Most museums are quiet as a courtesy to others, however, this place is a memorial and the silence is that of solemnness. Although I was only 3 years old when it happened, the memorial was enough to jog a faint memory of one of the darkest days in world history.
Abi Marmurowicz, Managing Editor
I remember sitting in my living room the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Just one day after my fifth birthday and less than a week after kindergarten had started, I was sitting in my new pink couch embroidered with “Abigail” on the back pillow. I was ecstatic in my new chair while the adults around me started to crowd around the television with blank faces. Those blank faces quickly turned sour and then emotional. Back then I had no idea what was going on, and at that young age, I couldn’t grasp the reality of what the world had just faced. With every anniversary after, the emotions and knowledge surrounding this topic have grown for myself and surely others. The gravity of the innocent lives taken from civilians and first responders has hit home more so than ever with my father being in the line of duty as a firefighter and EMT for 12 years. I knew firsthand what it took to sacrifice everything for those around you from the late nights in my childhood home when my dad’s pager would beep and out the door, he went before I could open my eyes. I soon grew to realize that some little girls and boys, would never witness that pager beeping again. Undoubtedly, the people involved that day made the ultimate sacrifice, even if they had no grasp on how the day would unfold or go down in history. When I think of 9/11, I think of those first responders and how the world needs to continue on in that spirit and in their names. Because of them, we have significant heroes to never forget.
Marquis Holmes, Editor-in-Chief
I remember as a young boy, seeing the nation in a constant state of terror that can never be forgotten. I remember that iconic clip of the man choosing to jump to his death rather than to burn with the building, and I remember, for once, how various demographics came together for the good of America in light of the heinous attack on the World Trade Center. Since then, we have watched a war wage for the past 17 years to prevent this from happening again. A war that some would agree has not been necessary since the raid in which claimed the life of Osama Bin Laden. As we now face a wide variety of social indifference, I only hope that America can find the heart to come together again — not for the sake of a detrimental event, but more for the cause of supporting any and everyone who is proud to call themselves an American.
Rio White, Sports Editor
Where are we as a country 17 years after the most abhorrent attack ever seen on American soil? Constant warfare with no end in sight seems to be a reality accepted by our society, yet it seems the goals for these conflicts have never been less clear. If we are to truly memorialize the thousands who perished on that tragic day, our government should remember that freedom, not political leverage, should be strived for. Our government must not be tempted by power and money only to become friends with a certain country responsible for harboring many of the terrorists who were responsible for the attacks on 9/11.
Elizabeth Nouryeh, Opinion Editor
When Sept. 11 come round each year, a heavy silence seems to fall upon the country. For one day a year, we put aside our differences to remember the 2,996 lives lost 17 years ago. We always ask each other where we were that morning or how we heard the news. Even though I was only five years old, I remember the adults calling me inside as they gathered around the TV. I stood on tiptoes trying to peek over the top of our couch, smelling the worn leather and wondering what movie was playing. Looking back, it strikes me the amount of evil it took to carry out that act. We’re no longer in kindergarten wondering what movie our parents watched, instead we have grown up with the looming fear of yet another terrorist attack.
Rebekka Cacciatore, Engagement Director
Where I was and what I was doing at the time of the planes crashing into the World Trade Center buildings is only a small blip of my memory as a child. At that time, I was only in kindergarten and did not understand anything that had happened. As I grew older and able to understand the severity of the events that happened on that day and the days to follow, I realize that the sick tragedy that had occurred and grew to comprehend that the unthinkable can actually happen in our society. My heart hurts for the innocent civilians who died in the world trade center, the people on the planes that crashed, as well as the people who lost their loved ones that day. Today, I strive to keep the events of that day relevant and part of conversations so they don’t become washed into the background of U.S. history because this one day changed the trajectory of our nation forever.
Sabrina Kerns, News Writer
I do not remember much of what happened on Sept. 11, 2001. I was four years old and probably unaware of the tragedy taking place on the other side of the country. I cannot say that it meant that much to me back then, but as I grew and learned more about what happened and the context in which it happened, it started to have a deeper meaning. Of course, we will always remember 9/11 as one of the greatest tragedies the U.S. and its citizens have ever faced, but each year, it is also a reminder that these tragedies happen all too often all over the world. As we remember what happened on that day, it is important to also remember those in other parts of the world that still seek relief from terror groups and attacks against their government and their people.
Bridget Walker, Production Manager
I was only five years old on Sept. 11, 2001, but I remember feeling fear. I remember the blazing images on a small television screen. I remember being able to tell that the grown-ups around me were sad and afraid. Now I’m 21, and I’ve come to realize that our generation was robbed of the ability to see the world through innocent eyes when we were children. During our years of cartoon character covered lunchboxes and light up sneakers, we were faced with the reality that bad things can happen to good people, and grown-ups can’t always save the day. Now that we are the grown-ups, I hope that we live out our daily lives as if we had nothing to be afraid of. I think that we can honor those who refused to go down without a fight on Sept. 11, 2001 by refusing to give in to the fear that terrorism strives to ignite in us.
