In Memoriam- one year anniversary

[Odin]

The 3,000 lives lost didn't go in vain.


LETS ROLL!

[Jonny]

...

[Tingkai]

I saw a documentary produced by two French brothers last night simply called 9/11. Incredibly powerful stuff. If you haven't seen it, try to find it.

The brothers were doing a documentary about NY firefighters during the summer of 2001. Their initial plan was to focus on a new firefighter assigned to a firehouse near the WTC.

They ended up being there during 9/11.

One of the brothers was out on a routine call and video taped the first plane hitting the WTC. The firefighters he was with were the first to reach the building.

The film shows how the firefighters responded to the situation and what they were going through.

The thing that had the biggest impact on me was the effect of people jumping off the WTC. The filmmakers don't show these people. Instead, you hear the crash of the people hitting the ground and you see the reaction of the firefighters inside the WTC lobby.

The film is tastefully done and provides a powerful statement about what happened and the bravery of the NY firefighters.

[Rasbelin]

Tingkai, what a co-incidence. The documentary was also seen in Finland yesterday (9.11.). Yes, I must agree that it was a very good documentary. I also agree that it wouldn't have been enjoyable to see those people fall to the ground. The film brought back the events of last year to my memory. Yesterday I also looked at the newspapers from 12.9. and the following days after it.

Peace to those who died.

[Ramo]

My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives that day...

[Aro]

My condolences to all who lost someone in that horrible day. My condolences to all of us, the human kind. We all died a little in September 11th, 2001. We all lost a piece of ourselves in that morning.
No matter from where we are, we will never forget.

[Ned]

I have been immensely sad and angry for the past year. But reading this thread, it all became too much. I finally broke down and cried.

To New York City and to all who lost a loved one on 9/11, my deepest sympathies.

[The Pioneer]

That video about the NY fire fighters was shown here in Germany too and AFAIK it was shown in a lot of coutries simoultaneously.

NY was a symbol not just to America but for the western civilization and its ideals when it was attacked we were ALL attacked. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. We shall never forget!

[Frozzy]

September 11th will live in our memorys forever. God bless all concerned.

[Firebird]

I saw the documentary too here in Denmark.

Though it happened far away from my home, I felt attacked too. I cried when I saw those towers collapse.

The words to describe the fear and sadnesss of that day I cannot find.

May the people that died rest in peace.
May the people that lost find their peace.

May humanity never see such an event again.

Indeed: We shall not forget!

[Lars-E]

I saw the documentary too or the last 1,5 hrs of it. The two brothers were French I think.

[Rasbelin]

AFAIK the documentary 9.11 (the one we're talking about) is the only one that has coverage from inside the WTC before and during the collapse of the South tower.

Firebird,

indeed. Let's make our best that such things won't happen again.

Lars,

yes, they were French brothers.

[Caligastia]

Every day I look at the empty sky with an empty heart...

[SKILORD]

a day late but still.....

[Q Classic]

what is there to say? really?

i didn't turn on the tv yesterday. i didn't turn on the radio yesterday. i pretty much stayed off the internet.

i just sat still, thinking, for those hours in the early morning, doing nothing.

and i still can't figure out what to say, what to think...

i know this much, though. we should remember they day, but i don't want it to become a holiday.

over fifty years ago, we americans dropped a bomb over two japanese cities hiroshima and nagasaki. morality questions aside, those two bombs left a gigantic scar on the japanese living at the time, much like how the world trade center attacks have left a mark on our psyches. fast forward fifty years in japan, and now you have 6 august, celebrated as a holiday. a holiday, with balloons, sweets, parades, and noisy festivals, all alongside somber speeches and reflective monuments. it's not so much a remembrance of the event there these days, but more of a day off of school and work to have fun. it's not just a japanese thing, either. our veteran's day and memorial day, once somber days out of respect to our national heroes who perished defending america have turned into flag-waving, outdoor-grilling, three-day sale weekends in which very little thought or reflection is given to the actual meaning of the holiday.
contrast that with 7 december 1941, another day living in infamy. it's not a holiday, and so when people speak of it, they do so with respect, with sadness, with memory. 6 may 1944, normandy, also gets off without the obscene faux patriotism and sales. even those two events haven't been kept pure, their memories sullied by blatantly capitalist movies--but at least they remain cleaner, more respectful days, than memorial day and veteran's day.
i really think we would do the victims a favor if we didn't 11 september a federal holiday. we'd prevent blind flag-waving, one-day-only sales, balloons and parades. we'd let this day be a tragic reminder, one in which people across the country stop and pray, or cry, or just think... holidays never keep their meaning for long. i don't want 11 september to lose its meaning fifty years from now, when i'm old and senile, with my grandkids running around with balloons and smiling and laughing at the clown in some parade "in honor" of the dead.

maybe, hopefully, i'm wrong. maybe things won't end up like that. but what i've saw on tv this morning, about a parade somewhere in middle america, just doesn't give me much hope.