nmah1523.xml

nmah1523.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-08

I was at work in Amsterdam Airport, The Netherlands, when the radio broadcast told us of a terrorist attack in NYC. As we have several offices in NYC we offcourse turned on the television set hoping for information about our colleagues. What we saw on the news blew the group of people present away. Some stood around, others had to sit down, as we watched the events unfold. When another plane hit the second tower we all cried out in horror and some of us burst into tears when it dawned on us how many people were killed by this insane act. Although our logistics company is one of the busiest places at the airport, all activity came to a stand still, and most of us went home keeping our ears to the media hoping to learn of survivors being found in the ruins.

my life has indeed changed. When reading the papers, or seeing the news on tv, you become aware that mankind is capable of a lot of horrible things, but I could never have expected that something like this would be possbible in the free world. Since 9/11 I have more fear in my heart, when I go about my daily bussiness. Somehow I started trusting people less, not knowing what a stranger could be capable of doing. On the other hand I became more loving of all the people around me, both in my proffessional life as in the circle of my family and friends, because I think I could not live with the thought of any of them perishing without them knowing the love I have for them.

On one hand, that mankind is appearantly capable of such acts of blatend insanity. On the other that there is no measure in what people are prepared to do to save their, or someone else's loved ones. Some even gave their life in order to try and save a stranger. For me that is the true spirit of mankind.

I did not, for the simple reason that I do not own one. I did however fly the Dutch National Colours at half-mast at my home to commemorate those who lost their lives and support to who were trying to save others.
I felt this was the least I could do.