In The Face Of Tragedy

World trade means world peace and consequently the World Trade Center buildings in New York...had a bigger purpose than just to provide room for tenants. The World Trade Center is a living symbol of man's dedication to world peace...beyond the compelling need to make this a monument to world peace, the World Trade Center should, because of its importance, become a representation of man's belief in humanity, his need for individual dignity, his beliefs in the cooperation of men, and through cooperation, his ability to find greatness.
Minoru Yamasaki, chief architect of the World Trade Center

New York’s Skyline changed today. The world changed today.

When the dust has settled, the events of September 11^th will be considered one of the most defining events in the history of the United States, and perhaps one of the most defining moments in the formation of the new world.

There is great loss for humanity and man. The hopes of a new and peaceful post-cold war world have given way to those who seek to divide the world and send it plummeting into a Dark Age.

When you're watching the coverage on television, it is easy to get caught up in the destruction and sense of hopelessness. Still, there were signs of hope despite the destruction.

While the World Trade Center towers were collapsing, people gathered in Times Square to watch a huge screen showing the disaster as it happened a few blocks away. The made-for television targeting of planes hitting each of the towers sent the images flawlessly around the country and world.

Even in widespread panic as two of the largest buildings in the world fell into rubble on the street, people reached out to help each other. New York hospitals were not only overwhelmed with tragedy, they were overwhelmed with volunteers.

Though much of the country was closed down, instead of hiding in their homes, for the most part people in the United States went to work in hospitals, office buildings and supermarkets--ready to do their part to keep the world moving as it must.

The airports closed down, but a surprising number of city infrastructures kept working. The financial markets were closed, but shopkeepers everywhere opened their doors.

Undoubtedly following today’s events there will be calls for a new age of isolationism, closing the doors to the rest of the world. But the coordination and interaction between countries as was seen by the quick halting of flights, closing of airports and rerouting of planes in flight to Canada shows the importance of remaining engaged in the world as nations, as economies, and as people.

Like many on the West Coast, I awoke today to an early phone call. Turning on the television, I saw a hole in the World Trade Center. Outside the garbage was being picked up as usual, and I had to decide whether the events were important enough to forgo rushing outside to give the recyclables to the trash collectors.

The recyclables are still in the basement.

After learning of the tragedies, I went outside to talk to some construction workers who had arrived to cut a hole in the sidewalk to plant a tree. It is clear now that it will be a very special tree, one that will grow into a world very different from the one that existed just hours ago.

Planes have hit tall buildings before--the Empire State Building for one--and I didn’t know yet whether an accident had caused the destruction, or if it was an act of terrorism. As the reality of the situation set in and it became clear that the destruction was widespread, it became just as clear that this was no accident, and that today was anything but an ordinary day.

Here in San Francisco, several buildings were evacuated, including the TransAmerica Pyramid. The thought of San Francisco being a target passed through my mind.

Whoever is responsible for these attacks on New York and Washington had as bigger target all cities, and civilization itself. They can destroy, but in the long-time destruction will not prevail. New York has sustained an injury that will linger long and painfully in its history, but pain will not prevail.

Today, and in all days future, New York and the United States will do what they have always done best--they will build.

Eric Miller

Go to "A Call to Open Arms," by Richard Risemberg

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