nmah5605.xml

nmah5605.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-08-23

"911-01."

I am a British history researcher in the European Union. On 911-01, I was visiting Britain for the first time in ten years, in the North near Manchester.

I was in a TV store with my mother buying a new set for our home visit, when the news broke of the first impact at the WTC. The BBC was speculating on an accidental crash at that time, but when we returned home with our new TV the WTC was on every single channel.

At first we thought the set was faulty, but as we checked the channels we were mortified by the news that a second aircraft had been deliberately flown into the second tower. The terrorist pilot had angled the aircraft to hit three floors for maximum effect, its full load of fuel had blown clean through the building.

The first reports were coming in of desperate struggles to escape and of tremendous acts of heroism. It was already clear that the souls trapped in the higher floors of the towers could not be rescued.

As the day progressed, all British and European TV channels were dominated by the event. Reports of additional thousands of missing European financial people emphasised the global nature of the catastrophe. Our thoughts went back to the previous attack on the same building. We realised that it was an attack on the West, on Western civilisation and key Western institutions. The BBC was already connecting the attack to the previous Al Qaeda attack on the WTC.

During the course of the afternoon (European time) the full picture formed of this satanic attack. There were further reports that an aircraft had crashed on the Pentagon and another had failed to reach the White House. We thought my god, they are hijacking passenger aircraft and using them as battering rams. Perhaps they are forcing the US to shoot down the passengers and crew too?

Later we learned that without hope of survival, passengers had themselves taken on hijackers and thwarted them, bringing down an aircraft short of its objective. In this disaster, with no other recourse, this was the triumph of the human spirit. US Emergency Services also achieved their finest hours in the period before and after the collapse of the twin towers, many paid the ultimate price.

For all of us in the West, this was an attack on our common institutions, history and heritage. Ben Laden's Al Qaeda did its worst while the people of the United States rose to the challenge and did their best.

This horrendous fanatical massacre dominated our lives and family conversation for weeks as we too lived in its shadow. For us personally, the new TV we bought that day is forever linked with the memory of 911-01. For us too on the far side of the Atlantic, 911-01 was a historical turning point. We can no longer afford to be complacent about the threat of terrorism, whether from the right, the left, or based on false religious claims and presumptions.

While peace between human civilisations and religions is achievable and will be achieved, sometimes we have to stand and fight for what we really believe in, so that no one will ever doubt again that a repeat of such an attack, in Europe or the United States,will ever stop this process.

Best wishes Pete Dalby, UK author

For all of us in the West, this was an attack on our common institutions, history and heritage. Ben Laden's Al Qaeda did its worst while the people of the United States rose to the challenge and did their best.

This horrendous fanatical massacre dominated our lives and family conversation for weeks as we too lived in its shadow. For us personally, the new TV we bought that day is forever linked with the memory of 911-01. For us too on the far side of the Atlantic, 911-01 was a historical turning point. We can no longer afford to be complacent about the threat of terrorism, whether from the right, the left, or based on false religious claims and presumptions.

While peace between human civilisations and religions is achievable and will be achieved, sometimes we have to stand and fight for what we really believe in, so that no one will ever doubt again that a repeat of such an attack, on Europe or the United States,will ever stop this process.

As a British and European national, I have long felt a strong affinity with the US. The US flag symbolises that affinity for me. In many ways my language, culture and identity share a common heritage and history with the US.

The US flag has long been Atlantic and Global, as such its importance now is greater than ever after 911-01. I commend our American cousins of all races and origins for gathering round their nation and institutions when the need is greatest.