On September 11, 2001, I was just four years old, living in Fiji, far from the tragic events occurring in New York’s financial district. Despite the distance, I clearly remember watching the news as the devastating events unfolded, leaving an indelible mark on my family.
My parents and grandparents frequently discussed the 9/11 attacks, recalling the moment when two planes struck the World Trade Center, resulting in the deaths of nearly 3,000 innocent people, including first responders. My late grandmother was moved to tears by the news reports about the victims, expressing grief as if she had lost family members herself.
The attacks on the Twin Towers captured global headlines, and the news coverage remained a persistent presence in our home for years afterward. These discussions and news reports ignited a personal commitment in me to better understand the full magnitude of 9/11 and its lasting effects on world history.
On the morning of that fateful day, 19 terrorists from the extremist group al Qaeda hijacked four commercial flights, crashing two into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. The damage caused by the impacts and subsequent fires led to the collapse of both towers, killing nearly 3,000 individuals from 93 countries. Additionally, one plane struck the Pentagon in Virginia, killing 184 people, while passengers on the fourth hijacked flight fought back and caused it to crash in Pennsylvania, resulting in 40 more fatalities.
Fast forward twenty-three years 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 made it a priority to visit the 9/11 memorial in lower Manhattan. After a short drive from the Park Central hotel, I arrived to find hundreds of other visitors from around the globe also paying their respects.
The memorial features two reflective pools situated at the original foundation of the North and South Towers. These pools contain North America’s largest manmade waterfalls, descending 30 feet into a square basin. Architect Michael Arad designed the pools to signify “absence made visible.” Despite the flowing water, the voids within the pools can never be filled, creating a serene atmosphere amid the city’s hustle and bustle.
As I walked through the memorial, I felt overwhelmed with emotion while reading the names of the 2,983 victims inscribed around the pools, a somber reminder of the lives lost, including many courageous first responders. Standing before the twin pools, I was struck by the weight of history and loss.
I reflected on individual stories, such as that of Rahma Salle, a 28-year-old passenger on American Airlines Flight 11 who was killed along with her 7-month-old unborn child and her husband when the plane crashed into the North Tower.
The memorial plaza is also home to a Callery pear tree known as the Survivor Tree, the only tree to endure the events of 9/11. Discovered in October 2001, the tree was treated and later returned to the site in 2010, symbolizing resilience and survival.
My visit to the 9/11 Memorial was profoundly emotional, allowing me to understand the depth of loss that the attacks brought to the world. Each name etched in bronze represented a unique life and story that was abruptly interrupted. The sheer number of victims was a heartbreaking reminder of the tragedy.
As I explored the museum, I encountered artifacts, testimonials, and historical displays that brought the events of 9/11 into sharp perspective. The experiences of those who witnessed the tragedy, the heroes who rushed to help, and the heartbreak of families who lost loved ones resonated deeply.
This visit was more than just a memorial tour; it was a reminder of the lasting impact of September 11 on our collective history. The experience underscored the enduring legacy of that day and its profound effects on our world.