The final seconds recorded by the in-flight recorder, the black box, of United Airlines flight 93 on September 11, 2001 was wind. Seconds before that was the indistinguishable yells of triumphant desperation as the passengers broke down the cockpit door and physically pummeled the hapless remaining two terrorists with fire extinguishers, fists, and feet. The indispensable thought they'd never see their loved ones fueled their anger.
Such exquisite rage.
There were fathers, sisters, brothers, mothers, daughters, sons, husbands, and wives on board. Final “I love you”'s were left on answering machines, messages intended for unknowing, confused children, and stunned beyond belief loved ones. And then static blackness.
Yet these voices...these men and women... these hero's... live on.
15 comments:
somehow the shudder of incomprehension and wide eyed horror remains the same after four years when those few sad tuesday morning hours are reenacted.
I saw it happen on live tv. Not the same as being there, in the city, but devastating just the same. Heros indeed.
I have to admit that I read this a couple times before commenting.
Sometimes reminders are hardest to deal with.
"Yet these voices...these men and women... these hero's... live on."
Well said, Hermes. Very nice.
"Let's Roll!"
i still have dreams once in a while about falling buildings-- well, now i'm also having dreams about huge waves rising above...
nice life! can't wait till tomorrow!
Rockdog stole my line!
"Let's roll" I will never forget!
AMEN, Hermes! Great thoughts. Great post!
LeeLoreya. The other day I wept. Every year it will be the same.
Puzzy. It's hallowed ground. I've been there and paid my respects. It was hard.
Rae-ann. Do you remember how helpless you felt as you watched the events unfold?
Colonialave. But things like this mustn't be forgotten.
RockDog. I just wish Dubya wouldn't have used that line to rally support for his bullshit war... what can you do?
Ale. I dream about prehistoric sharks... still. How odd.
Autumn Storm. Yes, I read somewhere once the Union soldiers at Gettysburg during the Civil War knew they were headed into a battle they wouldn't walk away from... yet they went anyways. They hung letters on the trees for their families - final goodbyes.
Wordwhiz. Thanks! It was short but hopefully sweet
No, we shall never forget.
Yes. the memory of that moment will always live on.
Yes. it is still painful.
Yes, I do remember that helpless feeling. And the sorrow.
Great tribute to those that fought for the ones that couldn't.
I love this sad, but corageous story of human potential taken to its fullest. Without knowing, they paid tribute, in that very instant, to the ones that were helplessly caught in devastation and completely out of control.
I get confused by all the emotions evoked...I want to fight for them too...I guess that's how millions of Americans felt when they decided to support the Unjust War...but that wasn't the answer. We were not fighting those hijackers, were we? We were shadow boxing and losing more of our lives with every punch.
As always, Hermes....You've inspired me.
hermes - prehistoric sharks.. right i remember that one...
its totally normal! its a classical odepus complex- you want to kill your father and possess you mother... everyone is like that-- giv me something difficult! ;)
You paint images with words Hermes. It amazes me. It can be short and still powerful.
Valarene. I think it's human to remember. And feel pain. And feel anger.
G.D. Want to know what's really sad, and frightening, G.D? Sometimes I can actually empathize with these terrorist pricks. Sometimes I hate Bush, and in turn this country. I hate the things Bush, and those like him represent, capitalistic greed, and pure fucking evil.
Jay. Frightening, confusing, heartbreaking, devastating all at once.
Ale. They always say that. It's always that bothersome Oedipal complex...
Wordwhiz. Again, thanks for the sweet words.
This was one of the most respectful and awe inspiring tributes I've read for the brave on UA flight 93. Thank you.
Post a Comment