When word got to me to check the news I ran down to the TV lounge in the Ihouse and sat next to a German girl. When I arrived there was already about 15 people there. We all sat discussing the situation and waiting to hear President Obama make the announcement. It is hard to describe my feelings on such a strange occasion. To rejoice at the news of someones death is not something that I had ever experienced before, but I felt a feeling of rejoicing. I also felt a great feeling of patriotism. However, I also felt uneasy about the ramifications of such an event. As soon as the President came on screen everyone became silent. We listened in silence.I loved his speech but I did not know what the foreigners around me were thinking. I did not know what to expect from them when he finished. I was surprised and overwhelmed by their response. The moment he stopped speaking they began clapping and shouting in such excitement. Genuine excitement. It was something I will never forget. I could not believe that these people from all over the world cared so much about us that they rejoiced when our enemies failed. I did not expect such support. It was such a wonderful feeling of unity and patriotism. In the excitement I heard someone say: "Meet upstairs in 5 minutes, we're going to ground zero." I looked at another of the girls sitting next to me and off we went. Mind you it was midnight, and we had work in the morning, but we could not miss this.
We met five of the interns from BYU and took the subway down. As soon as we got into the terminal at The World Trade Center stop we could hear the yelling from above.
To my right
to my left
When we got to the street was a huge swarm of people all gathered together. It was just like going to a concert, except the music was sung by many people without much tone. I was so excited to go and to be in the place where everything began. I was excited for the families of those who died, because they finally have the justice and closure they deserve.
It was my first time at ground zero and frankly it was not at all what I expected. In fact, here is the big damper to the story. Let me explain the context. The crowd was mostly college age students. News reporters and broadcasters were everywhere. There were people on the street lights and on shoulders. Flags being waved all around. There was random cheers of USA and songs about America but most of what was happening took away the feeling of patriotism and unity and reminded me of just how obsessed we are with the media.
The sign said "Obama: 1 Bin laden: 0."
That is Marlyn Monroe on the flag. What? She was being so ostentatious.
Many of the interns who came share my opinion when I say that it appeared that most of what was happening that night on the corner by Ground Zero was all a show. There was very little that was genuine. Some of the repeated cheers I heard included: F#@* Osama and the song "Na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye," something sung at the end of football games. I was so bitterly disappointed. The feelings I felt in the Ihouse were gone and I just looked around in embarrassment for all those who were being ridiculous just to get attention. I am surprised what people will do when they are on camera. It was pretty cool that so many people showed up to celebrate the news, even though some of it was not genuine. It began to get a little too rowdy for us around 2 a.m so we left. I was so bitterly disappointed. I had wanted my first trip to Ground Zero to be one of respect, love for my country and the people of New York, but it was quite opposite. However, I went again later that day and had a better experience.
After work two coworkers and I decided to go after we had been listening to the news all day. This time the atmosphere on the streets was quite altered. It was very somber. I think the excitement of the news had worn off and now the memory of the event remained. Again, there was a ton of people there, police and news media everywhere. We walked around for a little while and I actually got to see some of the memorials and the land where it all occurred. My heart felt heavy walking those streets, realizing the great pain and heart ache that was so ripe ten years ago. Even though time has gone by it still feels like it happened yesterday. Time does not wear away the pain of losing so much in one day. There were three moments when I was struck with great feeling. The first was when I saw this.
The list of all the firemen who died that day. This is posted to the firehouse right across the street.
The second was when I saw this:
Parents. The dad had tears in his eyes. This was right across the street as well.
And the third was when I saw, through a fence with flowers tied to it, the old structure of one of the towers.
It was a harrowing experience and I am so grateful that I am here in New York.
Here are a few more pictures of some of the things I saw:
UNITED WE STAND
