FEMA: A Nation Remembers, A Nation Recovers

Your Comments One Year Later

In the hope of world peace, I share my reflections of this drama as it has affected me.

Tragedy struck on the dreadful morning of September 11, 2001. Thousands of lives were lost, and countless individuals hurt physically, and emotionally. One thing that stood out despite this trauma was the great American spirit.

The spirit of freedom and why we as Americans fought for that freedom more than 200 years ago, and have continued to do so. The freedom to pursue an education. The freedom to work at an occupation of our own choosing. The freedom to enjoy leisure and sporting events. The freedom of our own religious belief. The freedom to build relationships with people of different countries, cultures and ethnicities.

Challenges occur in our lives that move us to take action. Despite these challenges, we overcome and commit ourselves to positively change our environment. We give blood, we assist with the rescue and the recovery either through physical or financial means. We console one another, sharing our thoughts and prayers for loved ones and dear friends. I am pretty sure that some way, some how, each one of us knows of someone that is missing, hurt or has passed on due to this tragic event.

I have witnessed many neighbors, friends, and family become reborn patriots of this great nation. Many now fly the red, white, and blue, or wear the colors to represent their commitment to America. The spirit lies in the ideas and minds of people. The destructive acts of barbarians, as detrimental as it was, cannot and did not stop the American spirit from living.

This past weekend, through the dark turbulent, thunderous clouds, I saw that silver lining of hope. That silver lining that prevails from the moment the storm recedes. Families and friends gathered together for a weekend All-American picnic, where kind hearted, smiling grandparents warmly embraced their laughing and giggling wide-eyed grandchildren. Silver-haired parents grasped the hands of their adult children, with solemn loving eyes promising that they would see each other much more often. Past differences forgotten and forgiven. American flags were smartly snapping in the wind… proud… and defiant of the terror that someone attempted to impose upon Americans.

God Bless You for Defending Our Country and God Bless America

Bellamann
Honolulu, Hawaii
September 10, 2002

That day is still so unreal to me. As I was watching it on TV it seemed like I was watching a movie, "that couldn't be real", I thought "that doesn't happen in America" You really only see those things happen in other countries. Definitely not in America, we are too strong for something like that to happen. As I look at the pictures over and over again, a year later I still sit in disbelief that it really happened. Although I know it has. I thank God everyday that I did not know anyone in any of the tragedies, but yet I look at all those who have and pray that they find a way to go on. As the year anniversary rolls around, I ask God to help all those affected by this tragedy to give them the strength to get through all of this especially this day. I also ask that we stay united as a country as we have come together so beautifully. That yes this was a tragedy but something beautiful did come out of it, we came together and united in a way that I have never seen in my life and I love that part of it, I don't love the way it had to happen though.

My son asked me the other day if I liked watching the stories of 9/11, because every time they are on I seem to have it on. I told him "No, but I feel that I want to know everything that happened and know something about every person that was killed that day. And when people offer such information I want to listen, I feel we owe it to these people to know who they were and what kind of life they left behind. They were so innocent and did nothing to warrant such a terrible death. I owe it to them to know something about who they were.

I also sit and think of the Firefighters and Police Officers who so unselfishly went into that building, knowing that they probably weren't coming back out. I sit and think "How can a person do that, how can they just go knowing that they may never see their family again, knowing their time is up." It takes a wonderful and very special person to just give of themselves so unselfishly. I'm ashamed that I know for a fact that I could not do it. I also thank God for such special people as those who can, and I also thank them.

In closing I would like to say that I hope we stay strong together as Americans. I want us to stay strong and regain someday the innocence we lost that day. As the First Lady said "We lost innocence that day" and we did. I know, I never thought anything would ever happen like that in America, It just doesn't happen here!!!! I hope it never happens again!

Christine
New Jersey
September 10, 2002

I would like to thank FEMA for presenting this incredible first hand view of such poignant photographs. It is an appropriate way to grieve for the memory of that awful day. These photographs galvanize in our minds the inner strength that we Americans share. It is a relentless spirit that remains indomitable in the midst of such tragedy. We will never forget our loved ones lost, and we will forever be grateful to all who labored tirelessly long hours among the rubble and debris.

Marilyn
September 10, 2002

There is no way that anyone can understand why this happened, Some have said that it is America's fault for not helping certain people, Some school administrators have said that there is no fault, Some want to forgive, some to hate, some to just forget. One thing is clear to me; that it does not matter who, what, how, or why, it just matters that we lost 3,000 wonderful Americans and we cannot let that happen again. Too many times we as Americans wait until the pain is at our feet before we act, the next time the pain may be at your feet. Are you willing to wait until your loved one dies a terrible death before you support the government. Think, there is no changing your mind after death hits your loved ones. We can reason, we can change our minds, we can argue, we can protest, we can vote and we can even ignore, but we cannot bring back the dead. If you think you can then ask someone who has been in a war and lost a friend. Death is the only thing that we experience that is final, no take backs, no wish I dids, no I'm sorry, no next time.

John
Harpers Ferry, WV
September 10, 2002

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the photo gallery. I can't think of a way to put the rest of what I'm feeling. Thanks.

Beth
September 10, 2002

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Your Comments
•	Share your comments five years later
•	Your comments one year later
•	What the world had to say after September 11th