A reflection on 9/11

Block Island, RI - Southeast Lighthouse

Located in the greater Boston metroplex, our local newspaper elected not to feature 9/11 on 9/11, in spite of Boston being the locus of two of the 9/11 flights (American 11 and United 175).

Some front page recognition of 9/11 was clearly called for. It is fresh in our memory – I witnessed the second aircraft (United flight 175) strike the South Tower on live TV – inducing a sick feeling in my stomach that I will never forget. Later coverage chronicled the dreadful sight of people jumping to their demise rather than burn to death, their bodies making terrible thumps as they struck canopies, cars, and other objects on the ground. This is seared into my memory. 

My own journey home from San Francisco, delayed for six days because of the shutdown of the entire American air transit system, pales in comparison to those of the victims. A senior vice president of my firm, David Beamer, drove nearly non-stop across the entire country in two days to join and comfort his family following the death of his son, Todd, on United flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Todd, of “let’s roll!” fame. And David, his father, of calm comfort to his colleagues and family. Such courage.

The 9/11 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people. And the manner in which they died is more horrifying than the deaths of those who perished in the only other significant attack on American territory – Pearl Harbor. Yes, indeed, 9/11 must be remembered for many, many years to come. 

Because of the local Boston impact, there are many in my community who are suffering life-long trauma. I have many times departed from or arrived at Logan airport gate B32 since the event, and have always paused to whisper a prayer for all of those lost souls. 

On nearby Block Island, Rhode Island, there are two memorials to 9/11 victims. On the grounds of the Southeast Lighthouse near Mohegan Bluffs is a granite bench seat engraved with the name of Catherine Carmen Gorayeb, a much-loved daughter, friend, and mother, who had the unfortunate audacity to report to work at the World Trade Centers on a crisp, blue, beautiful Tuesday morning. And at the North Lighthouse, more memorial 9/11 benches, one engraved "To the memory of those who perished on September 11, 2001. We will never forget." Indeed. Those Rhode Island out-islanders take 9/11 seriously. 

My newspaper suggested that it couldn’t find a fresh story line. Here’s one for them… in spite of the import of 9/11, the current administration has banned the use of the term “war on terror,” and President Obama was unable to attend the ceremony in New York City this year (although he was able to journey twice to the same city in the following week for speeches and meetings).

There's your story.