On September 11, 2001, despite being just four years old and thousands of miles away in Fiji, I distinctly recall the breaking news reports of the events that would forever alter the world. My family often discussed the 9/11 terror attacks, particularly the impact of the crashes into the World Trade Center that claimed nearly 3,000 innocent lives, including many brave first responders.
My late grandmother would become visibly emotional each time she watched news reports about the victims. The tragedy of the Twin Towers resonated not only across the United States but also around the globe, creating a lasting presence in our household through ongoing news coverage that persisted for months and years.
This exposure nurtured a deep commitment in me to understand the full extent of the 9/11 events and their significant consequences on global history.
On that fateful morning, 19 terrorists from al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial flights. Two of those aircraft were crashed into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The resulting devastation led to the collapse of the towers, resulting in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives from 93 different countries. Additionally, the third hijacked plane hit the Pentagon, causing the deaths of 184 individuals. The passengers on the fourth plane, Flight 93, fought back against the hijackers, leading to the plane crashing into a field in Pennsylvania, resulting in 40 fatalities.
Fast forward to September 1, 2024, during my visit to New York as part of the International Visitors Leadership Program from the U.S. Department of State. I made it a priority to visit the 9/11 memorial in lower Manhattan. A colleague and I departed from the Park Central hotel around 11 a.m. for the short drive to the memorial site, passing under the Brooklyn Bridge and Wall Street.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a multitude of tourists from all over the world who had prioritized a visit to the memorial. The memorial prominently features two nearly one-acre pools located in the footprints of the former Twin Towers. The pools are adorned with the largest manmade waterfalls in North America and descend 30 feet into square basins, with water continuing to drop into smaller voids, symbolizing “absence made visible,” as described by architect Michael Arad.
As I walked through the memorial, my heart felt heavy while reading the names of the 2,983 victims inscribed on bronze parapets surrounding the pools. Standing at the reflecting pools, I could sense the historical weight and profound loss from that tragic day. Among the names, I noted individuals like Rahma Salle, who was pregnant and traveling with her husband on American Airlines Flight 11 when the plane crashed into the North Tower, resulting in the loss of her life and her unborn child.
Notably, the memorial plaza also features the “Survivor Tree,” a Callery pear tree that survived the tragic events of 9/11. Severely damaged, the tree was discovered by recovery workers in October 2001. It was nurtured back to health by the New York City Parks and Recreation Department and returned to the World Trade Center site in 2010, symbolizing resilience and hope.
Visiting the 9/11 Memorial for the first time was an incredibly emotional experience, one that allowed me to truly comprehend the magnitude of loss experienced on September 11, 2001. Each name engraved on the bronze panels represented a tragic story interrupted. The overwhelming number of names served as a stark reminder of the nearly 3,000 individuals and first responders who perished that day.
Exploring the nearby museum revealed personal artifacts, emotional testimonies, and historical displays that vividly illustrated the events of 9/11. The exhibits conveyed the narratives of those who faced the danger, the heroes who selflessly rushed to help, and the families who endured unimaginable loss.
This visit transcended merely touring a memorial; it was a profound exploration of a global tragedy. It underscored the lasting impact of September 11 on our world and served as a powerful reminder of the collective grief that continues to resonate.