2Woods
Topic – September 11 Attacks
IT was a day that changed the United States of America forever; it was under attack without warning. Everyone thought it was an accident, when an American Airline Boeing 767 crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center. It was a clear bright summer morning around 8:45 am, September 11 as citizens of the country arises to their normal daily routine. Suddenly! the television broadcast live image of what initially appeared as a freak accident. It was 18 minutes after the first plane smash the world trade center; another second United Airlines Flight 175 appeared out of the sky, turned sharply toward the south tower near the 60 floor. It was only then Americans relies that they were under attack by terrorist. It was and imaginable event for your eyes to behold. The collision caused a massive explosion that jiggle Manhattan. There was debris tossing all over the street, onto the widows of the residents that reside in the neighborhood. Citizens were crying holding each other, as strangers comforting each other in the streets. Citizens trap on the floors of the building trying to exist to safety. Firefighters, Ems and police officers were on sight running into danger, trying to rescue people who were trap within the building. Hey! American’s were under an attack. Attack on the soil of the land of the free and the brave. The subways and bus stop there service immediately. The police and the canine united were throughout the street. The tunnels to the city were close immediately. The city instantaneously stops for a moment. Everyone was in shocked; it was like the air that we breathe stood still. It was gloomy day for New Yorkers, lives were change without notification. I t was unbelievable to comprehend, our nation was hurting.
As millions watched another American Airline Flight 77 circled over downtown Washington, D.C. west side of the Pentagon military headquarter at 9:45 a.m. Another United Flight 93 was hijacked about 40 minutes after leaving Newark Liberty International Airport. In all four planes attacked the soil of New York. It was a day that will be remembered decades upon decades. Americans were in agony, many families love ones perished in the blazing fire coming from the building. One can only image the distressed, fright, and horror those individuals felt as they were surrounded by that blazing fire, knowing they were going too died.
It was later learned, that the hijackers were Islamic terrorist from Saudi Arabia, and several Arabia nations, with leader Osama Bin Laden. They were allegedly acting in retaliation of America’s support of Israel, its involvement in the Persian Gulf War, and its continued military presence in the Middle East. It was tough to hear that some of the hijackers lived and took flying lesson at the American commercial flight school. It was a disturbing to the government a nation, to absorb that the terrorist lived among us.
The chief- in-command was President George Bush who was in Florida, at the time of the attacks. He responded at 9am delivering a televised address from the oval office. He Declared “Terrorist attacked and destroyed the foundation of the biggest building, but they cannot touch the foundation of American. These acts shatter steel, but cannot dent steel of American resolve.” Americans needed to be comforted by the chief- in- command. Americans was brought down to their knees, the country was heartbroken; thousands of families lost their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives and husband. The country was in complete silence, as they mourned the loss 2,996 human being in horrific act to mankind.
The country was face with economic impact, many institution had to be evacuated our 143, 00 jobs were vanished; people had to reside from their home. Air transportation was affected; most of all the World Trade Center was a huge building. Thousands of first responders and people living in lower Manahan were exposed to toxic fumes, and particles emanating from the towers.
It was one of the melancholy days in the United States of American, a day that changes many lives forever. At the same time it showed the love of the citizen’s, the humanity for each other the in darkest moment. The country had a reflective experience, each citizen needed each other. The country was not divided by races, nationality or religions; it was the United States of America. As time went by the country started to gradually heal and rebuild better and stronger. The country security has improved, the World Trade Center is open with a special light that shine for all those who loss there lives. Osama Bin Laden was captured, no longer breathing on the earth. Americans has ascended again.
An Excerpt from Robert Morris’ Diary
Today was a very important day for me and the United State. Feb. 22 was the birthday of our founding father President Washington. Under his great leadership, the USA declared independence. Since then, the US developed into a land of freedom and democracy.
Today was also the day that the gorgeous lady “the Empress of China”, the first US ship that traded with China, set out from New York. I woke up early than usual since my excitement stirred inside my body. Although there were not many clouds in the sky early in the morning. In the hazy fog, a few clouds appeared. The sky gradually brightened. The sun also came out, shining on these clouds, making them like glittering gems. It was a terrific day to transfer the vessel to the water!
I was on my way to attend the ceremonial ship launching, though it was a small one. The New York City’s harbor was as bustling as usual. The ship was berthed at the harbor, like a fearless warrior who was waiting for the commander’s order It was a three-masted, square-rigged sailing ship of 360 tons. My appreciation of the ship was interrupted by the flash of cameras. Journalists of the Pennsylvania Packet was taking photos of the ship. One of the journalists saw me and approached me.
“Mr. Morris, as the Superintendent of Finance for Congress, why did you finance this voyage? It had taken the extensive time and effort to get the mission underway due to the problems with funding it.”
“The ship planned to set to sail east, around the southern tip of Africa, and finally, it will arrive Canton, China. I am sending some ships to China in order to encourage others in the adventurous pursuit of Commerce and I wish to see a foundation laid for an American Navy.”
“Mr. Morris, do you see this voyage as an official mission to China or just for commercial interests? We know that Britain canceled all trade preferences enjoyed by the USA. Besides, the British promulgated a law that all goods shipped to Britain by our country must be subject to high tariffs. ”
There were always doubts and misunderstandings at the inception of things.
“Britain banned USA ships from entering the trade market of the British West Indies. The West Indies was the main overseas trade place of the American people. Undoubtedly, the British ban was a big blow to our beloved states. I signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. I want to contribute to the flourishing of the USA.”
“Mr. Morris!”A crisp voice grabbed my attention, I excused myself and followed the direction of the voice. The voice belonged to Samuel Shaw, the cargo manager of the ship. Samuel Shaw was in his thirties was educated, familiar with the accounting business, smart and capable. During the war of independence, he received a commendation from George Washington for his outstanding military service.
“God bless us, most of the ice was melt.”
“Son. You look great.”
“Mr. Morris, I’m so proud to be one of the crew members. We carried around 30 tons of ginsengs, around 2,600 animal skins, and other cargos. I hope that the Chinese will like those cargos. ”
“We definitely like their tea. Son, where is the Captain?”
“He was at the bow section.” Samuel winked at me.
When I arrived at the bow section, Captain Green was very focused on studying the admiralty chart.
“Captain Green,” I uttered his name with all my respect.
He returned to me. The middle-aged man passed his prime age but his eyes were as sharp as eagles, which enabled him to successfully smuggled goods and launched raids against British armies during the independence war.
“Mr. Morris.” He spoke in a hoarse voice.
“How long will the voyage take to China?”
“At least six months, if everything is going well. We’ve bee waiting for a long time.”
“Well, I guess that I will see you one year after.”
“You are right.”
We paused our conversation and looked at the distant sea as far as eyes could reach tacitly, the seagulls hovering in the air, and the silhouette of distant ships shrinking into white spot.
“The crews of the ship are all brave people. I’m very confident that we can finish the task of trading with China.”
He nodded with reservation. The silence deepened between us. Both of our minds drifted away to the known past or the unknown future.
I recalled the day that I made my mind to change the situation of Britain's ban, and find a new trade route to drive the country out of economic hardship. As early as November 1783, I wrote to John Jay, the foreign minister of the federal government of the United States, saying, "I will send some ships to China to encourage others in the adventurous pursuit of commerce” To make the navigation to China possible. I hired a ship and renamed it The Empress of China.
I didn’t know what Captain would think at this particular moment. I knew that the success or failure of the voyage depended on whether it could reach the East on time, lest the volatile Chinese market was flooded with other Western goods. The ice at sea once became a barrier between New York and the sea. Captain Green was well aware of those who were talking behind him, complaining that he did not set sail before the arrival of the severe cold, but waited indefinitely.
Finally, the ship sailed out of the harbor with people waving their hands behind. The American flag waved in the wind on the mast. The witness of the flying American flag was a long-cherished dream not long ago. When the ship passed the St. George garrison fort, she fired, with great regularity, the United States salute, which was returned from the fort.
I saw off the ship. The ship pierced the blue waves and separated a waterway to advance bravely. The layers of sea waves that were stirred up swept across the ship's side with silver and white waves, and then the water merged into a turbulent wave, leaving white foam behind, which expanded to the distant sea surface.