911 WTC memories of family & friends - Oh, I wish you were here

Source: NYmag.com - Day of Terror: A Photo Gallery

September 11, 2001 was a beautiful day. The skies were blue and summer was over. People were returning to work after a long holiday weekend. Kids were going back to school. Seminars were being attended. Contractors were soliciting business. People were riding the elevators. Coffee was being brewed. Calls were being made. Pictures being developed. Folks were laughing and dreams of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were coming to mind. Oh, what a beautiful day.

Then suddenly, without warning, a plane flew into the World Trade Center. At 8:46 AM, Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower 1. Tower 2, the South Tower was attacked 16 minutes later at 9:02 AM. At 9:36 AM, Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. Heroically, the passengers of Flight 93 resisted the hijackers and forced the plane to crash in a Pennsylvania field.

The devastating damages resulted in the total collapse of both World Trade Center towers, killing thousands within seconds.

Ten Years Later

This Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of that fateful day. It will be commemorated by the families of victims at ceremonies held at the various crash sites. Now, the families and friends only have memories of those who were lost. Babies are now turning 10, children are teenagers and young adults. Mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives only have memories. Perhaps the lyrics of Pink Floyd captures their thoughts:

Wish You Were Here  lyrics by Pink Floyd

So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell, Blue skys from pain. Can you tell a green field From a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil? Do you think you can tell? And did they get you to trade Your heros for ghosts? Hot ashes for trees? Hot air for a cool breeze? Cold comfort for change? And did you exchange A walk on part in the war For a lead role in a cage? How I wish, how I wish you were here. We're just two lost souls Swimming in a fish bowl, Year after year, Running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears. Wish you were here.

Lest we forget this horror and tragedy we are doomed to eternal suffering. May the videos below serve as a reminder of why we are free.


For me, I will never forget the smiling faces of many old friends. I will never see again. But I know that my pain is dwarfed by the agony of the suffering families who lost one or more of their loved ones that day.

To those who are searching for solace, remember you are never alone. I and many others will never forget your beloved. And every day I look at the sky, and I think to myself: I wish you were here!

Sources:
Days of Terror: A Photo Gallery
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here Lyrics