9.37 am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), September 11, 2001. American Airline Flight 77 crashes into the west side of The Pentagon killing a total of 184 people, 125 people in the building and 59 passengers on board; the third plane of the September 11 attacks. I remember that very day when I was in secondary school and still a little too naïve and ignorant to empathize with such an issue. Anyway, exactly seven years after, I found an article on the Straits Times that i would like to share.
Clip explaining the significance of the memorial benches
In commemoration of the 184 who perished, a two-ache park with 184 cantilevered benches was built with each and every victim’s name inscribed on a single bench; the new memorial officially opened to the public about a week ago on September 11, 2008. The benches are positioned in progression according to the age of the victims with the youngest, age 3, to the oldest, age 71. What is more significant and memorable about the site is that it is built where the plane hit.
On an academic note, the American government has non-verbally communicated to the world through physical objects (artifacts) the respect given to the perished ones. The benches signify the deaths associated with September 11, 2001. The monument is also an honorable gesture from the government to the victims and their families and also a symbol of arguably America’s darkest moment.The positioning of the benches is also personalized depending on whether the victim died at the Pentagon or onboard the plane as explained in the clip. In my opinion, the American government commendation’s of the victims, to an extent, strengthens the unity within the nation and their war against terrorism, a notion of supremacy and stability in turbulent times.
However majestic or artistic the monument is, it can never replace the mourning and tragedy that the American people have suffered. We people are fortunate enough not to have experienced such a crisis and with fingers crossed, I hope we will never. If Washington is ever on my list of destinations in America, an afternoon walk on Virginia’s hallowed ground will be on the cards; a walk filled with worlds of respect and sentiments…..
Care to join me?
Sources : The Straits Times Saturday
September 13th 2008 Pg C15
8 comments:
Love this entry, it touched me.
&i would join you for a walk!
I remember very clearly seven years ago when i watched the sad tragedy on news. I cringed &my heart wrenched for those who chose to jump out of the buildings, some 80 odd feet high instead of being buried under collapsed building...
Its something that will stay with us even though we're not americans.. how can we ignore it?
Indeed, the creation of the benches shows the sincerest respect the American government has for those who lost their lives in the tragedy and their loved ones who grieved.
I also agree with Laurie. I think that September 11 had shaken the whole world. It was a turning point in the history of not just America, but also the entire human race.
turning point for the entire human race indeed, the effects of that event are still being felt even today. well, by using objects to symbolise the perished, future generations will then be able to reflect upon the event that happened way before their time and maybe learn something from it. things happen for a reason, and people tend to need reminders for past happenings.
I remember one my classmates was scared beyond her skin that morning. We were watching the news on the TV and she knew her dad was on a flight that day in the USA. I'll never forget how frightened she was because she had no idea of knowing if he was alive or dead. Thankfully, it turned out that he was on a different flight.
It's a considerate and heartfelt move on the part of the US government. Such a monument would be appropriate in commemorating one of the greater tragedies to occur in this century.
I still feel sad when I think about it sometimes. What is the point of terrorism?? I don't think I'll ever understand how killing humans in the name of religion is justified.
i too was at a age where i choose to be occupied with less significant things. having been educated in the School of Life, i now am able to feel the emotions which the Americans were put through.
yes, it is important to remember the people we have lost, but wouldn't they money involved in this massive monument be better used to fund research of defense technology?
A nice gesture,for sure.Although I do not understand how and what they sacrificed in the name of freedom.They were murdered,in plain sight and what would be,a horrible ordeal to endure in a hijack planed with a bunch of religious fundamentalist.
Unfortunately,I got a feeling more tragedies like these will start to happen over the course of this few years.Why?
Because some men just want to see the world burn.
it is saddening to know when we see innocent lives being lost just for the sake of other insensitive's idea of an ideal world. 9/11 was the first time i witnessed the brutality of terrorism. and i thought at least those who are so "religious" would have basic respect and care about human lives. horrified and petrified. the benches signifies a whole lot of meaning, and USA's action to honor these people are indeed honorable.
this forces me to reflect.. if i were to die today, the next minute, have i accomplished my goal in life such that i can die without regrets?
I have mixed feelings on this one.
I feel that it is a good idea to construct this park as a memory of those innocent souls who perished on that tragic day.
It goes to show that the US government cares for their citizens and that each and every one of those who lost their lives will be remembered.
However, I feel that they have not learnt important lessons from this horrible event. There is a reason as to why Al-Qaeda targeted the US and not Canada or some other Western country.
What I mean to say is that a lot of people around the world are extremely unhappy with US foreign policy. I do not want to delve to deeply into this.
While it is good to commemorate those who perished, steps must be taken to prevent a repeat of this tragedy. Lessons must be learnt otherwise those poor souls will have sacrificed their lives in vain.
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