From FEMA A child's illustration of a firefighter, police officer, and a rescue worker planting an American flag in front of the World Trade Center in remembrance of the one-year anniversary of September 11.It was late at night in Sydney, and I was talking online with a very good friend in New Jersey. We had known each other a long time and together we moderated a newsgroup.
I was just signing off when I typed a message that at the time seemed straightforward enough. It was very early in the piece and I was unaware of how significant those few words would be.
"BTW, Beth, I've just heard a plane has crashed into the World Trade Centre." At that stage she had not heard the news and I stayed and talked a little more. Thousands of miles apart, we shared the sorrow, shock, disbelief.
We shared the realisation that the world had changed forever.
As I write it is Sept 11 in both Australia and U.S.A. For a few more hours we share Sept 11, the way Beth and I shared it five years ago. I wondered what I should write - what would best sum up how I feel? In the end I decided on a few lines from "The Bravest" written by one of my favourite singer-songwriters, Tom Paxton.
Although this song is dedicated to the firemen of New York, I am sure they will not mind if I say that to me, the song sums up the courage of all those involved in search and rescue attempts that awful day.
The song has even more impact when you hear it - especially the last line of each verse. You can download or listen to the song on Paxton's website.
Thank God we made it to the street; we ran through ash and smoke.
I did not know which way to run; I thought that I would choke.
A fireman took me by the arm and pointed me uptown,
Then "Christ!" I heard him whisper, as the tower came crashing down.
So now I go to funerals for men I never knew;
The pipers play "Amazing Grace", as the coffins come in view.
They must have seen it coming as they turned to face the fire.
They sent us down to safety, then they kept on climbing higher.
Wherever you may be - be safe
