On a day like today, I would say it’s near impossible to write anything that does not revolve around the remembrance of September 11th. When the planes crashed into the World Trade Centers, I was in 5th grade. I remember getting ready for school, feeding my gerbil, Oreo, and eating my Cheerios, just like every other day. But when I went upstairs to say goodbye to my Mom, she was sitting on her bed with her eyes glued to the television. At 10 years old, watching the news was never really a part of my daily repertoire, but on this day, I could not ignore the broadcasters as they reported the terrorist attack in New York City. I watched as the first tower burned, loose paper floating through the sky and black clouds of smoke filling the skyline. Minutes later, the reporters, with panic in their voices declared that another plane was headed towards the second tower. As my unknowing eyes stared at the screen in utter confusion, I watched the second plane fly into the middle of the second tower. The only feeling I remember having is confusion and disbelief that it was real. I had been on several flights at that point in my life and to me, airplanes were supposed to take you from point A to point B, no problem. I knew planes could crash, but I just could not understand someone intentionally crashing a plane into a skyscraper. I simply could not understand the horror of terrorism. One thing I did know was that my Daddy was working in the John Hancock building in downtown Chicago and it looked just like the buildings that were now burning to the ground. I was terrified.
My Mom, younger sister and I continued to watch the burning towers, frantically listening for reports of other attacks. We were terrified for my Dad, knowing that the John Hancock could easily be a target for the missile-like airplanes that had annihilated the World Trade Centers only moments ago. After several minutes had passed, the loose papers and charcoal-colored smoke were not the only things filling the sky surrounding the towers. At first, we had no idea what was falling from the buildings. It could have been anything; debris was flying everywhere. But as the cameras followed the towers more closely, we could see the bodies jumping. I thought I had been confused before but now; I could not fathom what was happening. My Mom tried to explain it the best she could but as a fifth grader, it’s impossible to wrap your head around deliberate suicide to escape suffering. This is my strongest memory from that day, as the images of people jumping have become iconic to the remembrance of that day and as a result, have never left my memory.
After 10 years, these memories I have are just as they have always been, as if it happened yesterday. Even though I was young, I, like everyone else, was drastically impacted by the monstrosities of that day. Our country has suffered dramatically since then – thousands of lives were lost as the towers burned to the ground, families were torn apart, our economy has reached its lowest point since the depression of the 1930’s, and hundreds of soldiers have lost their lives in a war that seems to be never ending. As I reflect on this day, I have connected the events of September 11th to a different event in history that similarly showcases the pure evil that sadly exists within human beings.
This past summer, I had the opportunity to travel to several parts of Germany and Austria. One part of my trip was to visit the Dachau Concentration Camp in Dachau, Germany. As you can imagine, it was an indescribable experience that humbled me more than I could have ever expected. My whole life, I have always been fascinated by the history of the Holocaust and getting to see a concentration camp in person was somewhat of a dream for me (I know, I don’t think the word “dream” is entirely appropriate but it’s how I felt before I went). As I walked through the gates to the camp, I found myself standing on the same grounds where thousands of innocent men, women and children were tortured and murdered simply for being who they were. Our tour guide told us that one survivor said he remembers having to stand in the cold German winter, nearly 0 degrees, in military position (Head down looking at the ground, hands at your side, feet together) for 37 hours. That is over two days of standing in the frigid winter weather. Not to mention, they had no shoes and ragged, minimal clothing. How can it be possible that one person can do this to another? As I learned more and more about the camp, I just simply could not understand any of it. NONE of it makes any sense at all. Our tour guide also told us about a form of torture that the Nazi’s practiced. They would divide already very small cells into fourths, which gave the prisoner no room to sit or move. They were forced to stand up straight for days, sometimes weeks at a time with minimal food and water. Can you imagine? I couldn’t last thirty minutes doing that. Yet somehow, thousands of survivors found the strength to have faith and push forward. That is if they could. Many were sent straight to the gas chambers upon their arrival and most died of starvation, over-exhaustion, disease, etc.
The Holocaust has become a reminder of the unbelievable tragedy that human beings can put onto one another. For me, it reminds me to be appreciative and to rethink what I do and say because I have the whole world in front of me and I am lucky for that. The photo above this post was something I took while standing on the grounds of the camp. It is a memorial statue that says the words “Never Again” in five different languages. These words were a theme throughout the memorial site as it was written on many of the memorial statues. It also stood out to me more than anything that I learned at the camp because this kind of horror should never, ever happen again. 6 million people were murdered by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party for absolutely no reason at all.
Which brings me to the point of all of this. I connect the Holocaust to the events on 9/11 because you would think we would have learned, right? 6 million people die and people on this earth are still terrorizing each other. Just 10 years ago, planes were intentionally crashed into multiple buildings filled with people, who were instantaneously murdered, burned to death, or chose to jump from a building rather than suffer. It’s mind-boggling to me that this is possible, that nothing has been learned from what is in my opinion, the most terrible event in world’s history.
Although “Never Again” was said once before, I think it should be taken in to consideration as a theme for the remembrance of September 11th. We can reflect on days like this as not only a way to honor, but also a way to learn and remind ourselves to never allow this kind of event to happen again. If we do not do so, then we are not honoring those who suffered, their torn apart families, or the soldiers who fight for us everyday.
Can’t we just have a little world peace?