September 11 is an awkward anniversary for most Americans. I always reflect back on attacks and the subsequent tragedy, and remember how I was glued to media for a solid week thereafter. 
I feel I shouldn’t to anything happy or joyous on September 11, especially when two wars have ensued since then and Osama bin Laden is still free.
Today I watched part of CNN’s original televised broadcast from back then via their online Pipeline. It was sad more than anything, because the people were in such a state of disbelief, their innocence seeming to shatter right on screen. It was also sad because of the rampant rumors that day, from supposed explosions at the Treasury building to Capitol Hill to Camp David.
I was happy to read about the remembrance walk held at the Idaho Falls Greenbelt this evening. I don’t know if that’s what they called it, but the deal was the number of steps around our greenbelt roughly equals the number of lives lost on September 11, so walking around the entire greenbelt could serve as a remembrance activity.
I took my kids out and they did well. There were plenty of signs scattered along the way with many statistics such as how many people died in the towers or planes, or what times the events occurred. I already know most of the numbers, as I’m sure most other adults do, but it was special when we saw a new sign and my son asked me what it read and meant. I would read the sign and then explain the significance of it, which generated some good discussions we had not had before. 
Given that the signs were all around the greenbelt and we discussed each one, my son gained a significant respect for the September 11 Attacks.
We arrived at a spot on the east side exactly at the moment a couple girls started singing God Bless America, so it was a perfect time to rest. I gave the girls an ‘A’ for effort and passion in their duet, but even they apologized for the poor quality of their Karaoke machine. I am left wondering if their performance was pre-planned or if they just decided to do it on their own?
I would suggest Idaho Falls repeat this event every September 11 anniversary. The signs were great for stimulating discussions, and those discussions will ensure the tragedies are never forgotten. I would recommend two things: rig up more speakers to play some patriotic music around the river, and spray the mosquitoes a few days before (they were insanely thick on the north-east side).
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As usual, a balanced and well written article from Joe Vandal, accompanied by appropriate and well cropped photos.
I’m glad our town has made some efforts to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11, and it’s a great use of our expanding greenbelt.
The only way in which I disagree is that having an annual event year after year is going to be the best idea out of many good ones. This is the last year New York will host a memorial in the bottom of ground zero, because rebuilding will have negated that possibility by next year. The rebuilding has begun, and it is time for America to rebuild it’s strength, as well. The more we rehash the horrors of 9/11, the more power to the terrorists who planned and orchestrated the events, in the first place. It is the memory of their acts that lives on, and they have already won significant victories in loss of god granted freedoms in America.
An appropriate memorial has been established in Oklahoma, and is the best place for anyone who wishes to commemorate that event. That event hardly blipped the screen this year. And it was, indeed, horrible. If we make every terrorist event a national holiday, that is just more power and encouragement to them.
God bless America, and let America’s greatness, not it’s weakness, be celebrated.
I feel I should add a short note to those who knew and loved victims of this incident. I do not mean any disregard for your personal feelings in the matter. There is a difference between personal loss and inflated patriotism. My condolences for your losses.
Good points.
I think this year it was important to do something different, something physical, or at work – taking time off or doing something that made one focus on what really occurred that day. Children are now attending pre-school and kindergarten who weren’t born when this happened. Besides, I think Katrina got us off of track of trying to heal as a nation.
I do agree that by focusing too much of our time and energy on the horrors, the terrorists win. However, I think there are some very good things that came out of 9/11, including changes in the stock market as those traders vowed to never let terrorists dictate our economy and consequently made changes, we take more precautions in traveling and acknowledging and following our gut feelings, and we no longer assume we are safe from violent acts, just because we live in the United States of America.
To review what our lives use to be like, prior to and after 9/11 and think about the changes seems natural to me.
As Stevie Nicks said, quoting Don Henley’s memorable words, “This is the End of the Innocence,” as she was in NYX, on tour, mere blocks away from the WTC. She changed because of what she saw and what she did. You can read about it for yourself, if you wish (From Journal:911, http://www.nicksfix.com).
And as Stevie later commented on Fleetwood Mac’s “Say You Will,” CD, she tossed out about half of her prevopisly submitted songs for that CD and wrote new ones, after her tour ended. That would be in a matter of weeks. She stated that it is subtle, but in each of her songs newly written after 9/11, on “Say Your Will,” there is a reference to 9/11. If you have ever heard and listened to the words of , “Say You Will,” did you think it was about two people? If so, listen to the words again and think about Stevie’s relationship with NYC:
“Say you will, say you will give me one more chance
At least give me time to change your mind
That always seems to heal the wounds, if I can
Get you to dance”
Could she heal people, with whom she had shared this tragedy, enough with her words that they would want to dance to her music again?
For those of us who need to remember this day for our own losses, I suspect with time we’ll find our own best way to do deal with the day. I believe we will find the right time and ways to remember 9/11, just like we do other anniversaries or death days of relatives we’ve lost and in some cases, remembering the date a relationship or marriage ended unhappily. There is nothing wrong with getting in touch with one’s feelings on those days (or 9/11).
What I hear Archy saying is NYC will be building on Ground Zero next year (although I wonder if they will have accomplished anything, given that construction was suppose to start in 2004), so commerations in NYC will be different. Consequently, should other U.S. cities be starting new traditions to remember that awful day or not?
I guess my ultimate answer is based on three factors; First, what does a formal ceremony or gathering do for the individual or organization (like the firefighters run)? Secondly, does holding an annual event to remember this sad day bring the community closer so we’re not divided by our religion, our economic status, our politics or other factors? If no community benefit is realized, I struggle to understand why a community would continue with the event. Conversely, if positive benefits evolve, such as education, potentially raising money for the fund to treat fire fighters, police officers and other first responders and rescue personnel who now have lung lesions from breathing the toxic fumes, perhaps this is an event the community should hold to help our neighbor, New York City.
For me, when I think of an annual event as a way to help the heroes who worked relentlessly at Ground Zero, they do become my neighbors, although many are about 2,200 miles away. Terror doesn’t enter the picture for me, when I focus on what I’m doing to help others currently suffering.
Finally, while it may not always be a walk around the greenbelt, we all were educated somehow about past world events, including Pearl Harbor and past military conflicts. Are the realities of 9/11 better taught at home, in the school or a community gathering?
I don’t claim to have the answers to these questions. I know what happened to me and people I loved, on that day as they were eyewitnesses to the attacks.
For those who have lost significant people or relatives to death, most people visit the cemetery on the person’s birthday and/or death day. Yes, it usually is a small group that gathers, nothing like the greenbelt, but does the tradition help the survivors? I think each person has to answer these questions for him/herself and their families.
Archy makes a good point about Oklahoma City; however, in reality, how many people will ever travel to Oklahoma City, unless their business takes them to that city?
I’ve been there, I don’t feel an overwhelming need to go back.
I’m interested in the views of others, as we all are influenced by crises differently. Consequently, we have different needs and opinions.