Remembering the 9/11 terror attacks and the heroes

Terror in the world continues unabated. While the ongoing conflict in Marawi between the Philippine government security forces and the Islamic Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups have persisted since May 23, the US contends with the destruction caused by two ferocious hurricanes in Texas and Florida for the past weeks. North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Hokkaido, the northern Japanese island. Recently a bomb detonated at a packed London underground train, setting off a “wall of fire” that burned commuters in Britain’s fifth terror attack in six months.

16th anniversary of the deadliest terror attack on US soil

Last May my daughter, with her family and I visited Ground Zero in lower Manhattan, New York. Here on Sept. 11, 2001, three thousand people died when two hijacked planes slammed into the famous Twin Towers of the New York Trade Center and the Pentagon, hurling the world into a new consciousness of global terrorism. Those 102 long minutes decided the destinies of thousands who happened to be there, by schedule or by chance, on that day, at that time. The hijackers were 19 men affiliated with Al-Qaeda; 15 of whom were citizens of Saudi Arabia while the others were from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Lebanon. Three studied at the University of Hamburg and Science Technology of Bonn, Germany.

Yearly, on Sept. 11, thousands of the victims’ relatives, survivors, rescuers, and others gather together at the Ground Zero commemorative Park. As New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani recalls, “Five years from the date of the attack that changed our world, we’ve come back to remember the valor of those we lost—those who innocently went to work that day and the brave souls who went in after them. We have also come to be ever mindful of the courage of those who grieve for them, and the light that still lives in their hearts.”

The destruction of the World Trade Center

When the Twin Towers were built 30 years ago, they were heralded as the “first buildings of the 21st century,” dwarfing the 102-story Empire State Building. The structures were designed to withstand 200-mile-an-hour winds and a hit by the biggest airliner of the day. It took seven years to build at the cost of $1.5 billion. The 110-floor North and South Tower buildings had approximately 50,000 occupants. The underground complex of shops, restaurants, three subway stations, and more than 600 parking spaces lay beneath the tower.

No one could have planned for this kind of impact. At 8:45 a.m. the first hijacked United Airlines Flight 767 hits the north side, snapping exterior columns and igniting more than 20,000 gallons of jet fuel. A second hijacked Boeing 767 slams into the southeast corner at 9:03 a.m., causing extensive damage to exterior supports. At 9:50 a.m., mounting fire from the burning fuel causes the building to lean to the right before falling straight down. The towers stood for more than an hour after being hit, allowing numerous tenants to escape.

At 10:29 a.m., softened by 2,000-degree temperatures, the remaining steel supports give way, causing the building to collapse. Nearby the 22-story Marriott Hotel, the Millennium Hilton Hotel, the Verizon Building and Deutsche Bank on Liberty St. together with the 21 Century Department Store, were completely damaged. Brooks Brothers Clothing Store and the American Express building lobby became temporary morgues.

The firemen, police force and volunteers on round-the-clock rescue and recovery

For eight months hundreds of volunteers worked 12-hour shifts round-the-clock, serving meals, making beds, counseling, and praying with fire fighters, construction workers, police and others at St. Paul’s Chapel. Just across WTC the chapel served as a place of rest and refuge having survived miraculously from destruction.

The responsibility of the New York Fire Department (NYFD) is to protect the citizens and property of the city’s five boroughs. During 9/11 343 NYFD members lost their lives in selfless sacrifice for people they didn’t even know by name. Consecrated to these brave men is the impressive gold NYFD Memorial wall on the façade of the NYFD Ten House on Liberty Street with the inscription: “Dedicated to those who fell and to those who carry on.”

Side by side with these fallen heroes were the NYC Police K9 Corps, who were joined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency-certified dogs at work, including some 300 search dogs, Port Authority dogs, airport security dogs and therapy dogs from around the country. Like their comrades, some of these canines also fell in the line-of-duty.

The Salvation Army was the first relief agency to report within half-hour following the first plane crash. Until relief operations concluded in May 2002, more than 39,000 Salvation Army officers, volunteers and staff served 3.2 million meals on the WTC site. Their emotional and spiritual counsels were especially welcome.

Reclaiming the spirit of unity that followed 9/11: The Oculus

The reconstruction of the New World Trade Center memorial complex is still going on at the 116-acre site. It began with the rebuilding of the damaged Winter Garden Atrium, which opened on Sept. 17, 2002. Walking distance from the Atrium is the WTC Transportation Hub with its spectacular soaring design. This hub includes a network of underground pedestrian connections from the lower and upper concourses. Pedestrians will be able to access locations on and around the WTC site, including the five WTC office towers, the Memorial and Museum, Hudson River ferry terminals, the World Financial Center, PATH trains, 13 subway lines, and the proposed JFK rail link.

The Transportation Hub resembles a gigantic white dove in freedom flight – the central figure of the wtc complex. Its creator, the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, named it the Oculus. Outside and inside, the powerful white dove dwarfs the numerous multi-story skyscrapers around like a bird of peace guarding against and overpowering the predators of world harmony. The post 9/11 recovery will always be remembered for its spirit, its dedication. “Wherever you find yourself today on the anniversary, remember the victims, the unity, and remember to say a prayer for the pups.”

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