On September 11, 2001, I was just four years old and living in Fiji, far from the tragic events unfolding in New York City. However, I can vividly recall the news coverage of that day, which left a permanent mark on my family’s conversations. My relatives often discussed the 9/11 attacks and the catastrophic crash into the World Trade Center that claimed nearly 3,000 innocent lives, including first responders.
The emotional reactions of my late grandmother, who cried upon hearing stories of the victims, highlighted the profound impact of the tragedy on those far removed from it. The attacks on the Twin Towers became a constant topic of discussion in our household and impacted our understanding of global events.
The day’s events unfolded when 19 terrorists from al-Qaeda hijacked four planes, crashing two of them into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. The ensuing destruction led to the collapse of the towers and the deaths of nearly 3,000 individuals from diverse backgrounds.
On September 1, 2024, during a visit to New York through the International Visitors Leadership Programme, I felt compelled to visit the 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan. I took a short Uber ride to the site, where I was met by many other visitors eager to pay their respects.
The memorial features two extensive reflecting pools, situated where the Twin Towers once stood. Each pool contains the largest man-made waterfalls in North America, symbolizing the lives lost and the irreparable absence felt by many. Architect Michael Arad designed the site to embody “absence made visible,” illustrating the ongoing impact of the tragedy.
As I walked through the memorial, reading the names of the 2,983 victims inscribed around the pools, I felt the weight of history. Each name represented a life ended too soon, including the poignant story of Rahma Salle, a 28-year-old pregnant woman who perished on American Airlines Flight 11.
An emblem of resilience stands in the memorial plaza: the Survivor Tree, a Callery pear tree that survived the 9/11 attacks. Discovered damaged but alive in the aftermath, the tree was nursed back to health and now symbolizes hope and endurance.
Visiting the 9/11 Memorial was an emotional experience that helped me grasp the magnitude of loss experienced on that day. The sheer number of names surrounding the pools served as a reminder of the nearly 3,000 lives lost. The artifacts and testimonies within the memorial museum underscored the stories of victims, heroes, and those who grieved their losses.
This visit was not merely about reflecting on the past but understanding the enduring legacy of September 11 and its impact on our world. The experience served as a powerful reminder of the tragedy’s lasting influence, a moment to honor those who were lost, and a call to remember their stories.