When 900 years old you reach, look as good you will not
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Ten years ago, the world was shocked into silent outrage as one-by-one people learned about the horrific act of terrorism that had taken place in the United States of America. The world watched, glued to news stations around the globe as two hijacked planes slammed into the sides of New York's infamous World Trade Center buildings. Then we watched, stunned and horrified, as a third plane found its way into the side of the pentagon. Next, we waited; with baited breath to hear if more would come. Soon we learned that yet a fourth plane had been hijacked, but that the people inside were willing to sacrifice their own lives in order to overwhelm the hijackers and crash this plane before it could reach its target in Washington D.C. Due to the courage of these individuals, the already heinous and terrifying plan did not bear all of its terrible fruit.
For the Western World it was a wake-up call. For a group of Islamic zealots, the al-Qaeda, the jihad had begun.
After this day, the world changed. There was less trust in our fellow human beings, especially if that person was Muslim. For some people, every person of the Islamic faith was suddenly a terrorist just waiting to happen. Most Muslim people do not condone the acts of al-Qaeda, but in the eyes of many, they are now terrorists. Our subways and airports, and other modes of public transportation suddenly ask us to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, even a piece of baggage that was most likely just accidentally left behind. Airport security the world over pulled up its socks and tightened its belts, taking every measure imaginable to make sure that other planned events, like those of September 11th would not happen again, and that all of those lives would not be completely lost in vain. We had to learn something, and we have.
And yet as we all sat there on that fateful and terrible day ten years ago, waiting for yet another terrible act to be reported, something else began to reach our ears. Not further acts of terrorism, but instead, acts of kindness, bravery, and heroism. Despite knowing that the World Trade Centers, towers over 100 floors high, were going to collapse, police donned their uniforms, and went out into the streets to try and control the panic, and firefighters ran into these buildings, hoping to find people alive, bring them out, and return them to the waiting arms of their families. The New York firefighters were the first to enter the fray, but soon men and women from other parts of the United States and Canada were there helping to go through the rubble, even when the chances of finding life were nil.
Next we heard of communities like Gander, Newfoundland, that had opened their homes to thousands of people from the grounded planes.
In the midst of this terrible act, we were both reminded of the depths of human cruelty, especially when we are committing that cruelty in the name of our gods and our religion. But we were also reminded of the kindness that lives in our hearts, of our ability to show a complete stranger kindness and compassion, and give them food and a roof over their heads simply because we can.
On September 11th, 2001 the world changed. I would like each of us to take a moment today to stop and remember not only the victims of 9/11, but also the heroes who risked their lives to make sure that the loss of life was as minimal as it could be. Take a moment to remember the brave souls of United Airlines Flight 93. Remember the policemen and the firefighters. Remember all the people who sheltered unknowns from the cold.
Please, everyone, take this moment of silence, and remember.
~ They spiralled into ebony, catching stars with their tails ~
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