On September 11, 2001, I was just a young child living in Fiji, far from the tragic events unfolding in Lower Manhattan, New York. I still recall the news coverage that flooded our screens, detailing the shocking terror attacks that day.
It was a topic of daily discussion among my family, with my parents and grandparents expressing their grief over the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost, including first responders, during the attacks on the World Trade Center. My late grandmother often became emotional while watching news reports about the victims, mourning as if they were her own relatives.
The destructive events of that day echoed around the globe, dominating news coverage for months and even years afterward. This early exposure ignited a passion in me to learn more about the events of 9/11 and their lasting effects on our world.
On that fateful morning, 19 terrorists from the extremist group al Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes. Two of those planes were flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center, leading to the towers’ eventual collapse and the loss of nearly 3,000 lives from 93 different countries. One of the planes struck the Pentagon, resulting in the deaths of 184 individuals, while passengers on the fourth aircraft, United Airlines Flight 93, fought back and ultimately crashed it in a field in Pennsylvania, preventing further destruction, although 40 lives were lost there.
Fast forward to September 1, 2024, I attended the International Visitors Leadership Programme sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, which provided me with the opportunity to visit the 9/11 memorial in New York City. My colleague and I left our hotel around 11 a.m. for a short drive to the memorial site, which is situated where the Twin Towers once stood.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a multitude of visitors from around the world who shared the same intention of paying their respects. The memorial features two enormous reflecting pools, each nearly an acre in size, marking the footprints of the original towers. According to the memorial’s information, these pools contain the largest manmade waterfalls in North America, with water cascading 30 feet into a square basin before disappearing into a central void.
Designed by architect Michael Arad, the pools symbolize “absence made visible,” serving as tranquil spaces amidst the city’s chaos. During my visit, I felt a profound sense of loss as I read the names of the 2,983 victims inscribed on bronze panels surrounding the pools.
Standing there, I reflected on that tragic day 23 years prior, imagining the horror and helplessness faced by those who witnessed the events. Among the names was that of Rahma Salle, who was 28 weeks pregnant and lost her life when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower alongside her husband.
The memorial plaza also features a solitary Callery pear tree, known as the Survivor Tree. Discovered severely damaged months after the attacks, it was nursed back to health and returned to the site, symbolizing resilience and hope.
Visiting the memorial evoked deep emotions as I contemplated the magnitude of loss experienced that day. Each name etched in bronze around the pools represented a cherished life forever altered, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by nearly 3,000 individuals, including courageous first responders.
In the museum, I encountered artifacts, personal stories, and exhibits that conveyed the spectrum of emotions and historical significance surrounding 9/11. The collective grief and enduring impact of that day lingered within the walls of the memorial.
This experience was more than just a visit; it was a profound journey into the heart of a global tragedy, reminding me of the lasting legacy of September 11 and its implications for our world. White roses are often placed on the names of victims at the memorial, especially on their birthdays, serving as a moving tribute to those whose lives were cut short.