We Remember Nine-Eleven

I originally published this two years ago on Facebook. We remember the darkest days of humanity. No words can describe how that day went.

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9:00 pm, Philippine Time.

I was only 11 at that time. I was about to go to sleep when a disturbing video of a burning skyscraper caught my attention. I was really curious and decided to watch CNN with my parents. I poked dad's right arm and asked, "Pa, ano yan? Trailer ng action movie? (Pa, what is that? Is that a trailer of an upcoming action movie?)"

"No, hindi yan trailer (No, it's not a trailer)."

I was shocked; I thought I was dreaming.

Photo source

The North Tower was a burning inferno. The 93rd to 99th floors were severely damaged and floors below and above them became inaccessible. I could still remember people waving their clothes from the windows of their offices as smoke continued to rise from the building. The impact of American Airlines Flight 11 made it to the mainstream media across the globe. Some speculated that it was just an accident. New York had already experienced this kind of accident back in 1945 when a B-25 Mitchell bomber plane crashed between the 79th and 80th floor of the Empire State Building. Then the speculation abruptly changed to an act of terrorism when at exactly 9:03 AM, a Boeing 767-300 jet United Airlines Flight 175 crashed at the South Tower.

Photographers also have grotesque images of people jumping off from the burning inferno of World Trade Center. They did not have a choice. Several minutes later, Pentagon suffered the same ordeal when a Boeing 757 commercial jetliner slammed the building at 9:05 AM. Another plane crashed somewhere in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Everyone panicked.

People from different countries witnessed this horrible event.

And thus, we remember the people who suffered this act of terrorism.

We remember the jumpers. Some complain how unfair life is. Jumpers have to deal with a such difficult decision of whether to fight the fire or just to escape this nightmare.

We remember the firefighters who bravely entered the two towers and perished along the way while trying to save as many people as they could.

We remember the people who died inside their respective offices of the World Trade Center and Pentagon. They weren't prepared. Some died instantly at their desks. Others had to suffer so much pain before the building collapsed.

We remember the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 11 andAmerican Airlines Flight 77. Even if they didn't arrive at their destination, they were at least prepared and aware of what was happening minutes before the crash.

We remember the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 who bravely fought the hijackers and instead of heading to the US Capitol, they crashed on a rural field somewhere in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

We remember the victims' family members. They will never forget the day when they had their last phone call and conversation with their loved ones.

We remember the terrorists. They also have their own share of story; the reason why they did this inhumane act.

Lastly, we remember 9/11. It was a wake up call to all us. It made us realize that anything can happen in the world. Live life to the fullest. Cherish every moment of our life.

We will never forget 9/11.

Never again.