Remembering 9/11 – 10 years on

Much like people talked about Elvis’s death or the shooting of JFK, the day Princess Diana died, for my generation the big date that people remember forever is the day the world changed. September 11th, 2001.

I had been working for G.S.K at the time and had just spent a lovely three days a Whore Cross Hall, a stately home hotel where we had been training Pharma reps. Finished early and being in the midlands I decided to enjoy a half day at the Wellman Spa, and happened to wander into one of the television lounges just after the first plane had hit the North Tower. The reporters were saying that a small plane had hit the tower and we were watching the billowing smoke and gaping hole in horror. Wondering how bad the fire was, what would happen to the people above the crash floor?

You couldn’t leave the screen, we were glued to it as the reporters continued to show the firefighters making their way to the disaster site. I can remember the noise of their distinctive US Fire Trucks roaring in the background.

While they were reporting, the second plane hit the South Tower. Surreal that it happened live on Television. Immediately my stomach churned. A plane accidentally crashing into a Skyscraper possible, yes. But two planes accidentally crashing into both towers. Impossible. You suddenly realised that you were watching an attack on America.

The South Tower Plane hit far lower than the first, and immediately our thoughts were with the poor people in the tower, above the fire floors. The hole in the building still pouring out smoke was enormous. Were any of the fire stars passable? As the events unfolded I made my way down to my locker and grabbed my mobile phone, calling my friend Mark whom I roomed with in Orlando telling him to turn on the Television quickly.

Having been to the World Trade Centre on a couple of occasions I had fond memories of visiting the 107th floor and then going up to the Roof at 110. In my heart of hearts I imagined a small fire caused by the crash and wondered if they would ever be able to restore the towers? Somehow these twin towers were iconic beacons representing achievement and considering that they were built in 1973 still didn’t fail to amaze In their wonder.

As the reporters continued to coming and time after time they reshowed the actual moment that the second plane hit like everyone I felt sick to the bone, saddened for those poor souls in the building and shocked by the events unfolding on the television.

As the first tower fell, we were uncertain as to what had happened? You couldn’t really see much for the dust & smoke. Surely the tower had not just collapsed? It must simply be hidden by the smoke? As more reports came in and you saw people running for their lives from the cloud of ash and dust that was bellowing from where the tower had once stood it really felt like you were watching a Hollywood Blockbuster and not an afternoon new report. I remember the faces of those poor people caught in the dust cloud, completely covered in toxic debris. Alarms sounded on cars and buildings and the dust settled yet still the disaster went on.

When the second tower fell you knew that the world was no longer the place it once was. The coordinated attacks on the World Trade Centre and the additional flights that hit the Pentagon and the United 93 that crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after the brave efforts of the passengers onboard. Looking back it felt like before then we were actually at peace. The Cold War was over, the Berlin Wall had fallen and for a short while, we all felt at peace.

9/11 began the War on Terror and despite several wars we are still no closer to peace than we have ever been. Almost weekly you hear of Police uncovering a potential terror threat. Somehow terrorism had changed. No longer was a bomb planted in baggage of a planes hold but instead the terrorists were using the plane itself as the weapon.

Every year on the anniversary of this awful day our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those that were affected in this awful day and wish them all a peaceful future. Crazy that we have had a space program searching for life on other planets and yet we can’t even be peaceful towards one another. Being Disney Alumni I have always believed in magic and if I could have just one wish I really would want World Peace.