On September 11, 2001, I was just four years old in Fiji, far removed from the tragic events unfolding in New York City. However, I clearly recall watching the news coverage of the day that changed the world. My family often discussed the 9/11 attacks, emphasizing the harrowing impact of the crashes into the World Trade Center that claimed nearly 3,000 innocent lives, including those of first responders.
My grandmother would tear up as she watched the news, feeling an immense sorrow as if she had lost her own family in the attacks. The images and stories of the victims were a constant part of our lives long after that day. This early exposure ignited a passion in me to understand the full significance of 9/11 and its lasting influence on global history.
On that tragic morning, 19 terrorists from the extremist Islamist group al Qaeda hijacked four planes, crashing two into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. The devastation led to the collapse of the towers, resulting in the deaths of nearly 3,000 individuals from 93 different countries. Additionally, one plane struck the Pentagon, killing 184 civilians and military personnel, while passengers on the fourth plane, Flight 93, fought back against the hijackers, leading the aircraft to crash in a vacant field.
Fast forward to September 1, 2024, I found myself in New York as part of the International Visitors Leadership Programme organized by the U.S. Department of State. I prioritized visiting the 9/11 memorial in lower Manhattan. Accompanied by a colleague, we made the approximately 20-minute journey from our hotel to the memorial site, where we were greeted by numerous other visitors paying their respects.
The memorial features two large reflection pools, situated where the original towers once stood, and contains the largest man-made waterfalls in North America. The design, described by architect Michael Arad as representing “absence made visible,” creates an atmosphere of serenity amidst the city’s chaos. As I walked around the memorial, reading the names of the 2,983 individuals who lost their lives in the 2001 and 1993 attacks, I was overcome with feelings of sorrow and loss.
One particularly poignant moment came as I read the name of Rahma Salle and her unborn child. Rahma was a 28-year-old passenger on American Airlines Flight 11, seven months pregnant, who perished in the attack on the North Tower.
The memorial also features the Survivor Tree, a Callery pear tree that endured the 9/11 tragedy. Discovered in October 2001, the tree was severely damaged but nursed back to health by the New York City Parks and Recreation Department and returned to the site in 2010, where it now symbolizes resilience.
Visiting the 9/11 Memorial was a profoundly emotional experience, enabling me to grasp the enormity of the loss experienced on that fateful day. The names on the bronze panels tell stories of lives disrupted, serving as a stark reminder of the nearly 3,000 people lost, including countless first responders.
As I walked through the museum, I encountered personal artifacts, emotional stories, and historical displays that brought the events of 9/11 into focus. The exhibits chronicled the bravery of those who rushed to help and the heartache of families left behind. This visit was more than just a tour; it was a journey through the heart of a global tragedy, reinforcing the enduring legacy of September 11 and its profound impact on the world.