Today marks the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks that took the lives of nearly 3,000 victims and is known as the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.
For the first time since the attacks, elected officials did not speak at the 9/11 remembrance ceremony in New York City. Fewer families visited the memorial as well.
Have we reached an emotional turning point?
“I feel much more relaxed” this year, said Jane Pollicino, who visited ground zero Tuesday morning to mourn her husband, who was killed at the WTC. “After the ninth anniversary, that next day, you started building up to the 10th year. This feels a lot different, in that regard. It’s another anniversary that we can commemorate in a calmer way, without that 10-year pressure.”
At 8:46am at the White House, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama observed a moment of silence then placed a white floral wreath at the Pentagon.
“Rick, can you hear your name as the roll is called again? On this sacred ground where your dust settled?” said Richard Blood, whose son, Richard Middleton Blood, Jr., died in the WTC’s south tower. “If only those who hear your name could know what a loving son and beautiful person you grew to be. I love you, son, and miss you terribly.”
For some, the pain is almost too much to bear.
“Coming here, it’s like ripping off a Band-Aid,” said Yasmin Leon, whose sister was killed at the WTC. “You rip it off and the wound is opened again. But you keep coming back anyway.”
Although eleven years have passed, no length of time may ever less the grief for some families.
“They say time heals all wounds. It’s not true,” said Joanne Hindy, whose nephew died in the north tower. “There’s a void in all our lives because that will never ever be filled or healed.”
In memory of those lost United We Stand. We will never forget 9/11.
