The wound is the place where the light enters you
Rumi
In the first year of this century, what has been described as the deadliest attack in human history occurred on the unforgettable morning of September 11. A media transmission and almost in real-time reported on the four commercial planes that were hijacked and diverted from their routes to go to specific targets, in actions that were described as terrorist.
At 8:46 that morning, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center corporate complex in New York City. At 9:03, United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower. Both 110-story towers collapsed amid powerful explosions and fires and collapsed minutes later, causing immense damage to surrounding buildings and businesses.
At 9:37 am, American Airlines Flight 77 from an Ohio airport crashed into the west side of the Pentagon building. At 10:03, United Airlines Flight 93 was possibly headed toward the White House or the Capitol in Washington D.C., however, passengers regained control of the flight deflection and the flight impacted the field.
The result of this catastrophe was the death of 3,000 people and more than 25,000 injured. It is estimated that more than 300 firefighters and police officers also died in the rescue actions. The health consequences of the survivors, in addition to bodily injuries, were respiratory diseases, premature loss of babies during pregnancy and some types of cancer caused by the inhalation of toxic dust caused by the landslides. The effects on mental health have also been important, given the fear and uncertainty generated by having experienced an event that made the world population vulnerable.
Since that year, the United States government proclaimed the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001, and, due to its magnitude, it was designated National Day of Mourning, which means observing solemn activities such as keeping a moment of silence and, in this case, it is done during the time in which the attacks were carried out that fatal morning and to remember the tragic deaths that occurred. The 9-11 is the way in English to make the date considered Federal Day or holiday enduring. During this day the schools and offices remain open to pay their respective tributes, place the flags at half-staff and extol American patriotism.
Receiving the support of the majority of the representatives of congress, it was designated as Patriot Day or Day of the Patriots, to recognize the true heroes and heroines who rescued victims and removed the rubble to reactivate the city. It is a date that has been endorsed by all successor presidents to also honor the solidarity work of the Fire Department of the City of New York FDNY, the NYPD Police Department and numerous medical personnel, as well as hundreds of volunteers who carried out impressive feats of rescue, altruism and humanity. This is how the testimony of Hispanic William Rodríguez, a survivor of these events, is remembered.
The space where the so-called Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were located is now known as Zone Zero, due to the impact of the catastrophe recorded there, and has become an area of remembrance for deceased people. In November 2014, a monument was inaugurated in that place so that relatives can experience their mourning, especially in the many cases where the bodies of their loved ones were never recovered from the rubble.
This process is of great help to heal such immense pain, similar to a funeral for veterans of war because, in both cases, it is about honoring the victims of violent acts and, equally, those who died there were true heroes.
Twenty-one years after the events, we know that the war against terrorism caused thousands of deaths and destruction in various countries. The millionaire losses severely injured the national economy. However, it is important to make it visible that extremists do not represent an entire ancient religion with principles of peace and wisdom such as Islam, as well as recognizing the need to build a society with foundations of inclusion and mutual respect on a daily basis.
At Del Pueblo Funeral Home we continue to honor those who sacrificed themselves to help the victims during the 9-11 attacks, the unsung heroes who diverted that UA 93 flight, and the people whose generosity and solidarity in the most terrible days of our history continue to be an example for new generations, so we remind you that we make the most difficult moments easy.
