On September 11, 2001, I was just four years old, living in Fiji, far away from the horrific events unfolding in New York City. I distinctly remember the breaking news coverage that captured the world’s attention that day. My parents and grandparents often discussed the 9/11 terrorist attacks, specifically the plane crashes into the World Trade Center that claimed nearly 3,000 innocent lives, including many first responders.
My grandmother frequently became emotional while watching the news, as if she were mourning family members lost in the tragedy. The collapse of the twin towers dominated headlines globally, and news about the attacks remained a fixture in our household for years afterward. These early memories instilled in me a strong desire to understand the events of 9/11 and their lasting impact on history.
On that fateful morning, 19 terrorists from the extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four planes, crashing two of them into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The resulting damage and ensuing fires led to the towers’ collapse, resulting in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people from 93 countries.
The third aircraft struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, causing the loss of 184 civilians and military personnel. After learning of the other attacks, those aboard the fourth plane, Flight 93, fought back against the hijackers, ultimately crashing the plane in an empty Pennsylvania field. Tragically, 40 lives were lost on Flight 93.
Fast forward to September 1, 2024, I was in New York and made it a priority to visit the 9/11 Memorial during my trip facilitated by the International Visitors Leadership Program through the U.S. Department of State. I left my hotel around 11 am, taking a 20-minute ride to the site of the former twin towers.
Upon arrival, we were met by numerous visitors from around the globe, all paying their respects at the memorial. Central to the memorial are two large pools, each nearly an acre in size, located in the footprints of the former towers. The pools feature the largest man-made waterfalls in North America, cascading down into a square basin before disappearing into a smaller void.
According to architect Michael Arad, the pools symbolize “absence made visible.” Despite the flowing water, the voids can never be filled, creating an atmosphere of tranquility away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Walking through the memorial, I felt a heavy heart as I read the names of 2,983 individuals lost in the attacks of 2001 and previously in 1993, etched on bronze panels surrounding the memorial pools.
Standing at the reflecting pools, I was overwhelmed by the enormity of the loss and the weight of history. I encountered names like “Rahma Salle and her unborn child,” who tragically died aboard American Airlines Flight 11 when it crashed into the North Tower. Rahma, who was 28 and seven months pregnant, was traveling with her husband that day.
The memorial also features the Survivor Tree, a Callery pear tree that somehow survived the devastating events. Discovered in the rubble of Ground Zero months later, the tree was rehabilitated and stands in the plaza as a symbol of resilience.
Visiting the 9/11 Memorial for the first time was an emotional experience, making me acutely aware of the loss that September 11, 2001, brought to the world. The countless names etched onto the bronze panels were a stark reminder of the lives extinguished that day. As I walked through the museum, I engaged with personal artifacts and powerful stories that shed light on the heroism and heartbreak of that tragic day.
This visit wasn’t merely a journey through a memorial but rather an exploration of a global tragedy’s deeper impact. It highlighted the enduring legacy of September 11 and its significance in shaping our world today.