“Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?” The lyrics of the song by Alan Jackson echoes today.
It was 23 years ago, when 4 hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania, forever marking a day of remembrance.
I was on my way into work early this morning, what every American was doing 23 years ago. Not knowing that before the sun was shining all above New York City, lives would be taken in the blink of an eye, which left a shadow for days.
If you’re my age, you may not remember Sept. 11. It was when years passed, and Americans started talking more about what they were doing that morning - when it became more visible to us that America was living a nightmare.
I was 2-years old on Sept. 11, 2001. Probably just still learning how to put one foot in front of the other. I am no mastermind and couldn’t begin to tell you what all I remember from that day. But I do remember sitting in my grandpa’s apartment when the TV faded from Barney to the news.
Hours and hours of news coverage. The calls made around the country to turn on the news became repetitive because “we are under attack.” And we were.
I’ve heard and read that eyes were glued to TV screens for days. Americans waiting anxiously for just one person to be found alive. It sounds like a nightmare, yet it was reality.
You and I can both agree, hugs, support and endless patriotism filled the streets in NYC, and there was an enormous amount of help on the way.
As we all moved forward and years passed, it became more clear why my mom left work, why flights were grounded, why fear filled American streets and why it feels like our neighbors from every state went to ground zero to sift through the rubble.
When NYC watched as one of the most recognizable symbols of power and freedom fell, so did we.
Now, I’ll introduce myself. Greetings, my name is Alec.
I sometimes tell people, when you can’t find me in Michigan, catch me in NYC. There’s something about the hustle and bustle that I just love. Not to mention, some of the most iconic areas of the city such as Rockefeller Center, Battery Park, the Statue of Liberty and the list goes on. The people can sometimes be moody but who wouldn’t in a town full of honking horns and pushing your way through tourists in Times Square.
But when you stop and look at the bigger picture, something we learned that day is when in tough times New Yorkers know how to wrap their arms around one another.
Over the years, I found myself at the site where the Twin Towers once stood. Standing in the same spot that looked like a war zone that Sept. morning. On 9/11, it was a site filled with smoke, fire, sounds of sirens and screams as New Yorkers witnessed firsthand two buildings collapse and Americans around the country watched in horror.
A trip to the Big Apple, calls for a day at the 9/11 Memorial. It could pass in being the quietest part of the city, besides Starbucks.
Two reflecting waterfall pools surrounded by bronze panels featuring the name of all 2,977 people who died.
The only tree that was left standing when the towers collapsed. Yes, it’s the survivor tree. And yes, it’s part of history because it was just one of the very few things that was left standing.
And just in the distance is the museum. A place to tour and see the collection of artifacts, firsthand accounts, and historical records relating to the attacks.
And you have the centerpiece, a 1,776-foot-tall skyscraper called One World Trade Center. A building known for its floor to ceiling, 360-degree views of Manhattan, Long Island, New Jersey and New York harbor. One World Trade Center is a tribute to the twin towers.
I’ve been there and so maybe your planning starts now.
We can agree the events of 9/11 reshaped America.
As time passes on, major events seem to become a distant memory. But 23 years later and some can say I remember it like it was yesterday. We will never forget.
You and I can agree, the moments of tragedy and heroism that were tested, strengthened NYC and America.
Believe it or not, 23 years later and a nation is still healing, and today we look at everything from a fresh perspective.
I watch documentaries from that day, and I read what people were doing, and it’s scary. We all have a story to tell, and although my story on watching Barney is nowhere near like the rest. It’s a good one and so is yours.
So, where were you when the world stopped turning? It’s a story worth telling.