katesthoughts

The world underwent significant change twenty-four years ago.   People were killed, buildings destroyed, war broke out. The events of September 11, 2001, commonly referred to as 9/11, were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks carried out by the extremist group al-Qaeda against the United States. On that day, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes. Two of these planes were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing both towers to collapse within hours. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, in Arlington, Virginia. United Airlines Flight 93, intended for a Washington, D.C. target, crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers confronted the hijackers.

The attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and caused significant destruction and emotional trauma. After 9/11, U.S. policies changed significantly, launching the War on Terror and creating the Department of Homeland Security.

I was at work when it happened, and although I tried to remain composed, I was concerned about the situation.   I kept calling Mom who was in the state buildings, in Hartford for meetings.  She was probably annoyed but understood, eventually.  Jim was at his office in Philadelphia as he worked at the Federal Railroad Administration.  He was fine.

I remember hearing that the Secret Service came to pick up President Bush’s daughter Barbara who was attending Yale at the time.  I recall that we convened in one of the aisles, where our Executive Director at the time assured us of our safety. For those with colleagues or family members working or traveling in affected areas, permission was granted to leave early if they felt uncomfortable.   Of course I stayed.  I would never hear the end of it from Mom at the time.

I remember going home that night and watching the news reports.  I was very glad the media chose not to repeat the planes crashing into the towers.  I seem to remember people complaining they felt differently. 

I recall a mix of increased kindness toward others and a sense of suspicion toward outsiders.   To me that was not good.

Travel 24 years ahead and yesterday there was a senseless murder

and attack.  Throughout the day, I reviewed several articles regarding Charles Kirk.  He was assassinated in Utah.  Until Yesterday I had never heard of him.  Many of my Facebook friends and associates posted comments that, while intended to be non-political, contained some political elements. They remarked on how several people in their networks responded to the man's death with humor or jokes.  I agree it's incorrect.   

While that was going on there was a high School shooting in Jefferson County   Colorado.  I hope the link works.   There are a lot of WTFs and anger also on social media as well.  Three individuals, including the shooter who died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, lost their lives.  I bet this will be the focus among all the 9-11 memorial reports.

I need to go and take care of some tasks before the day ends.   I need to call a repair guy for the dryer.  I need to get the tires done and get to the gym.