Erin Seils|
Although the terrorist attack which took place on the 11th of September 2001 was a terrible tragedy, looking back on the event 15 years later, some of the ways in which we commemorate the event are rather spectacular.
On the day of the attack in 2001, David Levithan, American author said:
“What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met”
For most of us, no one who died because of 9/11 meant anything to us; we knew nothing about them. However, millions continue to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during this attack.
American artist, Scott LoBaido has created a piece called “3000 raindrops” made out of 3000 lights to commemorate the 3000 deaths due to the attack. The structure which resembles the Twin Towers is in Mount Loretto, Staten Island. It made its debut on the 8th of September and will remain there until the 25th of this month.
Scott LoBaido spoke about his piece, saying:
“Now, with social media, we’re a society that forgets things in a couple of hours. Everyone goes back to their lives after the anniversary”
While one of the most commonly used phrases used on social media on the anniversary of 9/11 is “never forget”, by the 12th of September everyone seems to have moved on once again. He wants people to remember the tragic event and this is why he has decided to keep the piece up for much longer than 24 hours.
The 9/11 Memorial Museum also shone 88 searchligths (two 11 by 11 squares of lights to represent each tower) into the sky as a tribute to those affected by 9/11 on the night of the 15th anniversary. The “Tribute in Light “, representing the Twin Towers has been projected into the night sky on the anniversary of the terrorist attack every year since 2002.
A moment’s silence was also held in several places to remember those who died during the attacks, including the New York Stock Exchange and various radio and television stations. Firefighters in the United Kingdom also observed a minute’s silence at 1:46 pm, the time when the first hijacked plane hit the World Trade Centre in 2001.
British government leaders and approximately 2,000 others attended a memorial service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on the 14th of September. Many Americans also attended a memorial service in New York including Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump.
Member of Scottish bagpipe band “The Red Hot Chilli Pipers” and recently retired fireman, Willie Armstrong, got together with the FDNY’s (Fire Department of New York) Pipe Major, Jimmy Lee, to remember the devastating events of 9/11. The Scottish piping band have collaborated with bagpipers from the New York City Fire Department to create a 9/11 tribute song, “The Fallen”, in remembrance of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives when the Twin Towers collapsed 15 years ago. All money earned from the song will be donated to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Family Support Trust and The FDNY Pipes and Drums group.
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