September 11th Thoughts

         It's September 11th, 2012 today; Also, 11 years after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Today in class, these attacks were a main focus of ours. At one point during the discussion, Mr. O'Connor pondered why the less than 3,000 deaths of this event attracted such attention in comparison to other horrific events around the world with higher death tolls. My answer is simple. The September 11th attacks were truly the first significant attacks on the United States since the bombing of Pearl Harbor, triggering U.S. official participation in World War II. Also, because the United States is such a perennial powerhouse in the world, a huge attention was drawn to the terrifying and unexpected event.

         Going furthermore in depth with the discussion, we were shown images from the fateful day, considering their weight as to being the representative image of the attacks. The images surely had deep meaning, but in my mind, it would simply be insensitive to place just one image on the string of events. If one had to be picked though, it would be impossible to decipher between choosing: the planes hitting the buildings, fire raging, billowing smoke, desperate individuals in windows, jumpers, firefighters, debris, dust covered civilians or thousands of other possibilities.

         National Geographic put together, "9/11: 25 Indelible Pictures," the set of images perfectly replicates my befuddled state as to putting a finger on the one picture that represents the infamous morning correctly. I feel the collection of images does a fantastic job of portraying the various events of the morning.

         The true depth and gravity of the attacks are not just extremely saddening however. The men and women affected and involved were true heroes and inspiring figures from the day. Instead of cowering in the face of a pair of burning skyscrapers, these heroes gave the most selfless gift of all: their lives for the lives of others. For this reason, I am truly proud to say that I am an American and that we have such selfless individuals in this country, willing to give their lives up for the sake of others. God Bless Them.