Reflections on September 11

I lost many friends that day including TJ who I was very close to. Our families spent so much time together. The most vivid memory I had was the 6AM question from my 4 year old on September 12th "Did TJ come home yet?" which made me cry. She understood and cared and was concerned for TJ's daughter Amy who was also 4. They are still inseparable and I see TJ in her and her sisters constantly.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/09/08/rutgers.sept11.kids/index.html

Post by Jim Duffy '84

I remember being on a ferry that evening and as we passed the rubble how quiet it was. All I could see was smoke drifting away from what was left of the building. As I walked home I thought how lucky I was that both my nephew and niece who worked in towers next to WTC 1 and 2 were safe. From that moment on family became paramount in my life.

Post by Robert Dtelisle

What have I learned since 9/11? I have learned that we are all interconnected in ways that we can't always imagine. I have learned that there is no such thing as too young to die. I have learned that God suffers right along side each of us, even though I have had many days in my life filled with doubt, especially since 9/11. I have learned that ultimately I can only keep my son so safe, and that will always break my heart.

Perhaps, the most important thing I have learned and continue to learn is that no one can take away that which is uniquely human in each of us. Those that will continue to engage in evil acts of all kinds can take our sense of security, our loved ones, our very lives. But they can never take our humanity. That we have to give away. And I refuse to.

I refuse to allow the events of 9/11 to separate me from my God; to instill prejudice in me; to make me any less human than I was on 9/10.

Post by Diane Ticktin (Sheehy) '86

I was working for a corporation in Florida on that fateful day. I worked for a man who had no heart or conscience. As I mourned over the loss of lives and cried as I spoke to my mother over the phone about the event, my boss was infuriated with staff because we stopped working. His words to us haunt me still … "This is happening in New York. It does not involve us. Get back to work." I quit my job shortly thereafter. I can honestly say that I do not pray for a person like him and maybe he needs it. For now, I reflect on the innocent people who died, honor the heroes and believe that God has a special place for them all. I promise to never forget.

Post by Angela Nadeau-Stancil

After all these years, it still hurts to think of all those who died so suddenly and unexpectedly. They are in my thoughts and prayers, especially at this time of remembrance.

Post by Richard Poisson '69

I was only 14 years old on September 11, 2001. I remember being pulled out of class. I remember coming home to see my mother's teary eyes glued to the TV screen. I remember her silence. I remember my father having to fly for business two weeks later and me being so scared that something would happen to him. If it did, I would have simply crumbled, just like those buildings did on that day.

I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to all those who lost loved ones on September 11 and in its aftermath. I want to commend them for moving on and growing into honorable and strong people, because I don't know if I could have. You are the only kind of peace that came from that day.

Post by Hillary Goodie '10

As an alumni that was raised in New York, just an hour north of Manhattan, the events that unfolded ten years ago still reduce me to tears. I lost a friend that morning (Dennis Germain, NYFD) and was touched in many ways by the way our nation banded together in a time of need.

My stepfather was one of the droves of people that walked out of Manhattan, over the GWB, that afternoon. My father, who is a retired NYPD detective, made the opposite journey. He immediately drove towards Manhattan and was able to gain access to the island via an NYPD police boat. He slept on a barge for almost a month as he burned his hands and feet sifting through the still-smoldering debris, hoping in vain to find a sign of life in the midst of that devastation.

As we mark the 10 year anniversary, I still marvel at the courage of our emergency response personnel – not only in New York but all over our country, day in and day out. Our brave service-men and women continue to make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. My thoughts and prayers are with them now and forever.

Post by Bryan '97

As a Assistant Librarian at Salem High School in NH, I will always remember the look on the faces of all the students as we turned on the TV in the library after we were told that a plane had hit the twin towers in NY. It wasn't until the 2nd plane hit and we were told it was a terriost attack, that the students really understood what was going on. Some of our staff there had family and friends who worked at the towers and were scrambling to find out if they were involved.

It was one of the longest days of my life, and I will never forget the disbelief and sad tears from students and staff on that day. May we never have to face another day like that again. God bless all our first responders and those who lost their lives that day.

Post by Rose Marchand

Memory has a powerful way of making the past seem like the present. Ten years ago, our country, our families, and our friends experienced a moment that could never be forgotten.

I was born and raised in New York City – not too many blocks away from the World Trade Center. My dad had his office in one of the towers that was destroyed on Sept. 11th. He was home sick that day. I remember reaching him on the phone and simply feeling comforted by his voice. We knew people who died that day..co-workers of my dad, a former student of mine…Such a senseless loss!

I remember thinking…How does someone choose to do something like this? Why is such suffering inflicted on people? As a theologian, I often think about the question of "why bad things happen to good people." I have become convinced that there really is no completely adequate answer. At some point, we acknowledge that we truly are not in complete control of the world. This is a humbling reality but also a liberating one…for those who have faith.

And so, on this anniversary – as on all past 9/11 remembrances – I pray for those who suffered losses, whose lives were shattered, and for those who showed the nobility of the human condition in their efforts to comfort those affected by this tragedy.

Post by Sr. Maureen, OP