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Friday, September 9, 2011

Revisiting 9/11



As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 draws near, I feel compelled to express my sentiments about that horrible day almost ten years ago.  First, I have to admit that I change channels quickly when there's a 9/11 tv special on.  For some reason, I don't want to relive the memories. I get an icky feeling when I think about it.  I don't think that I'm alone when I discuss the funk that day put me in for a long time. 

I was getting ready for work that morning with KTLA channel 5 news on.  I think it was Sharon Tay and  Emmett Miller that morning.  They were discussing the first plane hitting the World Trade Center when a second plane comes into the picture and bam-crashes right into the second tower.  None of the newscasters knew what was going on.  They assumed the first plane may have been an accident but the second on was no accident.  They didn't go out on a limb and use the word terrorist attack but I knew something was terribly wrong.  On the way to work, I was glued to the radio trying to get info.  At work, images were being published on the web.  I think I was in shock and awe that day.

I was in a funk for several months.  Bin Laden could not have wished for a better outcome from his plot of terror.  Our lives as we know it had changed.  And ten years later, the country continues to be in transition.  We invaded Afghanistan then Iraq, then back to Afghanistan with the lessons learned in Iraq.  Our country is suffering from the worst recession ever with 1 out of 8 people out of work.  Bin Laden is dead now but his legacy will continue for many years to come.  Evil incarnate as they say. 

And I still refuse to watch any 9/11 television memorials.  It's not that I don't want to honor the heroes and those that died on that day. It's not that I want to forget what happened and the heroics of those passengers on United Flt. 93.  I know the adage "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."  Trust me-I won't forget but it's my personal choice not to relive the anguish again ten years later.  I'm reminded almost daily of 9/11-the news of soldiers and civilians dying needlessly in Afghanistan and Iraq mostly from IED's.  When I travel, the long lines to get through security or having to transfer my liquids into travel size 3 oz bottles and into a 1 qt. baggie.  Then there's the heightened awareness when there is a Muslim in the area. 

9/11 changed our lives for sure and I want to believe that America will never forget and not allow a similar type of attack.  America cannot let down its guard.  I also believe that despite all the efforts, more attacks will happen if not on our soil against one of our embassies or companies overseas.  Unfortunately, there will be more horrific events to anguish over.  So forgive me if I pass on reliving this one.

1 comment:

  1. I feel the exact same way. Just this morning I heard of the special tributes that are planned to mark the 10th year of the tragic event and I couldn't help but think "enough already!" It's not that I want to pretend it never happend, it's more like I want to repress my own memories of that day and I'm not being allowed to do so. I feel that Al Qaeda is doing the happy dance everytime they see us reliving our pain through the reading of the names, the bell tolling, wreaths of flowers and the still very open wounds of families who lost thier loved ones. As in years past, I'm once again choosing not to tune in. Maybe next year.
    pc

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