A Moment of the Unforgettable Day - Reflection of 9/11

By: Maggie Griffin

In the early 1960s, Founder of the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Development Association, David Rockefeller, and his brother Nelson Rockefeller (former Governor of New York at that time) conceived the birth of what we know as The Twin Towers. It wasn’t until 1962, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey began plans to build the center, hiring architect, Minoru Yamasaki. It took 4 years for the project to be approved. The birth of the Twin Towers called The World Trade Center. Construction began in 1966.

With 3,500 people working on this site, 10,000 people working on the towers, 60 of whom died working during its construction. The 16 acre World Trade Center Site took 1.2 million cubic yards of earth, which was used to create 23.5 acres of land along the Hudson River. In December of 1970, the North Tower was open. In January of 1972, the South Tower was open. Dedication of the New Towers that gleamed with pride, changing New York City’s skyline, took place in April of 1973. They became instant landmarks; and the first tallest buildings constructed in the world at that time. But Zip Code 10048 was destroyed on September 11th, 2001 by terrorist attacks.

Prior to that, in 1993 terrorist drove a truck loaded with 1,100 pounds of explosives into the basement garage, creating a 22 foot wide and 5 stories deep crater, killing 6 people and leaving over 1,000 people hurt.

The World Trade Center was a collection of towers with Tower one and two being the tallest. On September 11, 2001 the following collection of buildings of The World Trade Center Landmark was destroyed in the attack:


One World Trade Center – North; Two World Trade Center – South, Four World Trade Center, Five World Trade Center, Six World Trade Center, Seven World Trade Center, The Marriott Hotel, One Liberty Plaza, Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. About 24 acres, or more, of land – once had this collection of buildings.

The following buildings had major damage from the attack:
The Millennium Hilton Hotel, One World Financial Center, Two World Financial Center, Three World Financial Center, The Federal Building, Banker Trust Building.

In 2004,when the thought of re-building a new Tower, calling it “The Freedom Tower” was introduced and discussed by the Governors of New York and New Jersey, the thought and the plans of construction stopped because of security concerns. Understand the terrorist have a history attacking this landmark. They arrive to our country, live here, work here and now, in 2010, think they can build a Mosque at the cost of American Citizens. It seems to me that our legislation is missing an important fact. History!

In 1993 terrorist drove into the basement garage with 1,100 pounds of explosives. These terrorist resided and worked in America, but they needed to respect their religion using 1,100 pounds of explosives. In 2001, these terrorists learned how to fly planes by American Flight Schools. Again – these terrorists resided and worked in America – but they had to hi-jack jet planes to fly into the buildings to respect their religion.

Where am I going with this? As a United States of America Citizen who loves my country, I want all American Citizens to understand the concept of history of where once rested buildings that sat on 24+ acres of American Soil. Buildings of which has a history, remembering the following dates:

June 9, 1965: Demolition work begins to make way for the World Trade Center.
August 5, 1966: Groundbreaking
December, 1970: The first tower - One World Trade Center - is completed.
July 19, 1971: Two World Trade Center is topped out.
April 4, 1973: A ribbon cutting ceremony is held to open the twin towers.
1974: Construction is completed.
December 15, 1975: The observatory opens to the public.
February 26, 1993: A truck of terrorists with 1,100 pounds of explosives drove in the garage beneath Tower One. Six people are killed and more than 1,000 hurt.
September 11, 2001: The Twin Towers are destroyed by terrorists. They hi-jacked two jumbo jets from Boston and slammed one into each of the towers, killing thousands of people.

A third hi-jacked jet flew into the Pentagon in Washington, DC; and a fourth reported to be headed to the White House ended up crashing in a rural area 80 miles east southeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
A Moment of The Unforgettable Day, documented the times and locations, leading thousands of innocent Americans, hard working citizens to their death. Americans that died; Americans who were somebody’s sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, grandparents or grandchildren.

8:45am - Hijacked American Airlines Boeing 767 hits the north tower.
9:03am - Hijacked United Airlines Boeing 767 hits south tower.
9:50am - South tower collapses.
10:30am - North tower collapses.
11:40am - New York Fire Department pulls out of Seven World Trade Center as fire rages uncontrolled through the skyscraper.
5:25pm - Seven World Trade Center collapses.

Terrorists are lurking amongst us to “respect their religion” by killing people. And the thought of a Mosque is an answer – I think NOT! If they were allowed to live in America, work in America, breath in America, drive in America and fly in America – after this history – I have a security concern and I am sure thousands of people across America have the same concerns based on history.

We live in a world filled with unpredictable uncertainty, but we will learn from history and protect the landmarks that made history along with honoring those who died at these landmarks. Some of our legislators are blinded by facts of terrorist attacks by the terrorists who come across "innocent" on American Soil, but need to respect their religion by destruction and murder.

If the thought and plans by two bordering NY and NJ State Governors stopped in 2004 because of security concerns, well this is why. I ask all Legislators in all States to hear the words through this video below and say NO to a Mosque.

In researching the meaning behind Mosques built by Muslims, the following research states the same words as written on all research facts - the meaning behind Mosques and why Muslims build them: According to Muslim beliefs - Just as western civilization hoists flags to symbolize victory over conquered lands, Muslim armies have built mosques and converted churches and temples into mosques to symbolize their victory. In a public gathering in 1998, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leader of the ruling Islamist party and current Prime Minister of Turkey, recited: "The mosques are our barracks, the domes our helmets, the minarets our bayonets and the faithful our soldiers..."

The intent is to un-veil a construction of a Mosque, they call a "community center" on the 10th anniversary of 9-11; leaving the date to be on 9-11-11, which to me is a symbol of two elevens, of which looked like the Twin Towers, however, repeating the two 11's as 11-11. On 9/11, taking out the backslash of the date it is 911, a call to emergency. To conclude my opinion, the two 11's is a pattern. A community center is a place where people meet and greet; Muslims welcome people of all religions to follow them; therefore, I cannot call this a "community center"; but a place where Muslims want to build a Mosque as a sign of victory, as research clearly defines, welcoming people of all religions to be at their "place of victory" without those people seeing and understanding their reason to build Mosques near or on places they destructed leading people to their death. Using the 1st Ammendment of the Bill of Rights written by those who signed the original Declaration of Independance as their reason to build a Mosque is not practicing the true value and meaning behind this Ammendment, yet a way to "convince" people and legislators as they do when welcoming all religions to their religion - which is also stated in researching facts behind the Muslim religion. Although I do respect all religions, I cannot respect a religion taking the First Ammendment of the United States Constition's Bill of Rights for granted as their way to "convince", rather, we the people have the right under the 4th Ammendment that states in all cases: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

It is important to research the Muslim belief in Mosques, why they build them along with research and historical terrorists attacks that took place in the past 10 years, the date of the 1993 bombing in the garage from terrorists using1,100 pounds (1-1-0-0) of explosives at the World Trade Center, zip code 10048. For some reason I see a pattern of the numbers here along with the pattern of the dates combined with the meaning behind their reasons to build a Mosque within, and near, the ground zero location of their first attack (ground zero "0") that took place on 9-11-01 (911); and plan to construct a Mosque on 9-11-11 (repeated number 11); on the 10 year anniversary; making it the year the attack on our Nation happen from year 01'; to build a sign of "victory" as a Mosque "community center to welcome all people of all religions", as research clearly shows the meaning behind Mosques built by Muslims, 10 years later of the terrorists attacks on 9/11, leaving the number 10
(1-0) reversed from the number 01' the year (0-1) 9-11-11; ten years later of
9-11-01.

Over-ride the plans and say NO to a Mosque, it is your duty to fulfill and protect our country as legislators, that includes protect the landmarks that are a part of American History, landmarks that were attacked by terrorists and by wars. Honor these landmarks and the American People who were lead to their death, which includes innocent children, and look at the entire history of how terrorists operate -- pay attention:

Maggie's Corner: Education Experiences Travel in New York

Maggie's Corner: Education Experiences Travel in New York

Education Experiences Travel in New York

Destiny took over to destination for me after wishing to visit the Statue of Liberty for the past 30 years. The irony of this wish is through my son, who was born on the 4th of July, and his school, Dag Middle School, where his teacher, Mrs. Fig asked me to attend this trip, a trip to the Statue of Liberty.

They had no knowledge of my wish until Tommy, my son, and I told them. I believe in my heart that my wish was meant for my son, a real live Nephew of Uncle Sam, born On the Fourth of July, to be the one with me to visit this remarkable statue. I found it to be a miracle wish come true when Mrs. Fig asked me to go on this trip with the school and her class.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty was not only the most thrilling experience the children and I saw, but an educational experience as well. In the lower level we saw the original Torch that once was held by Miss. Liberty before the reconstruction of a new torch was complete. I have to admit, after climbing 25 flights of stairs inside the statue to reach the upper deck, the pain in my legs the next day was worth the climb. The interior of the Statue is amazing. When we reached the upper deck, the view of the New York City skyline is absolutely breath taking. However, we need to keep in mind that the view, although beautiful, what this Statue truly represents Unity, Friendship, Freedom and Justice.

The Statue of Liberty is a National Monument. She celebrated her 100th birthday on October 28, 1986. The people of France gave the Statue to the people of the United States of America well over one hundred years ago in recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution. Over the years, the Statue of Liberty's symbolism has grown to include freedom and democracy as well as this international friendship. This statue represents our freedom. It also is known as a land mark for ships with immigrants coming into the United States when their ships docked at Ellis Island. Through this trip, we also took the ferry boat to Ellis Island as well, where we viewed the history of Ellis Island and the Large Wall of Honor that is the size of two foot ball fields, displaying so many last names of our ancestors.

According to information provided at Ellis Island, The Baggage Room is where thousands of immigrants crowded on a daily basis. There is where they checked on their baggage before climbing the steps to the Registry Room. The Railroad Ticket Office is where immigrants made their travel arrangements to their final destinations in the United States. It now contains exhibits covering 400 years of immigration history

The historic Great Hall, once filled with new arrivals waiting to be inspected and registered by immigration officers, now contains historic benches and reproduction inspector desks. Visitors can re-live the experience of 12 million people processed through this cavernous space. In later years, The Great Wall of Honor was built, carved with the names of millions of people who first arrived to the United States of America. On this wall is where I found my own ancestors names on both sides of my family. The funny thing was I even found my husband's name to prove to my son that Dad really did come off the May Flower. Actually, the name must have been an ancestor, but I had to have a little fun with it.

Did you know that during the World Wars, immigrants that came to America had to stay on Ellis Island until the wars were over? They were considered illegal because of the wars. Did you know that many, who arrived to America on Ellis Island when no wars took place, were asked over 30 questions and each had to go through medical inspections as well? Many were denied access and shipped back to where they came from.

After all was viewed and learned about, we took a trip into the city. We stopped for dinner where I met this nice clown who told me I looked 29. Obviously that made me very happy. But I talked to him. He lost his job because of the economy; he was laid off without notice recently. Since, he dresses as a clown and makes animals out of balloons just to hand out on a street corner in NYC.

Although he didn't ask, I gave him a donation for making a poodle out of a balloon for me, then a kiss on the cheek for complimenting me about how old I look. I figured a kiss on the cheek from me is worth a million because that is not like me to do that. But the truth is I gave him a kiss on his cheek simply because he told me it makes him happy to use his talent to make people smile.

He has a college degree; he has been applying for jobs everywhere. However, he set an example, dressed as a clown, when he told the children the importance of education and why college is important. His way of telling them the importance of education was If you don't do well in school and get a college education, you may end up like me, a clown on a street corner, making animals out of balloons.

To continue, we took a drive by visit to the location of Ground Zero. All the children, teachers, chaperones, including myself, had a moment of silence. After seeing Ground Zero and traveling down the street of what happened on 9/11, my thoughts went to work about that day. I will never forget 9/11 and I know many who are reading this will never forget that day as well.

My thoughts were about the people who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. My thoughts were about the people who lost their lives because of National Disasters. My heart became a sudden door filled with tears. What The Beautiful Statue of Liberty stands for means more than a National Monument, it defines why people came to America, and it defines why our veterans that sacrificed to protect and to save our freedom along with our current military who continue to sacrifice to keep our freedom. It defines the American People who come together as one Union of humanity to help others, or simply do something out of the goodness of their hearts to make another person smile. Like the young man who dresses as a clown, an educated man who lost his job, loves making animals out of balloons on his free time, between interviews for other jobs, just to make people smile.

On the day of 9/11/2001, a day nobody will forget, all Fire Departments, Police Departments, our Military, the American People, our Legislators and most important our Red Cross, all stepped up to the plate and we all felt inside our hearts what being one Union of The United States of America really is. No matter what happens, through all of the wars Americans have faced, through our economy trials, we all need to be thankful for one thing, people that are there for the people.

There is nowhere in the world that I would rather be. There is nothing in the world that I would rather see then what I saw when I took the trip to NYC - The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, for in America, United We Stand, Divided We Fall. If our backs should ever be against the wall, American People will stay together, forever, that means you and me. It also means we need work the problems to come to resolution. Example: Apollo 13. Think about it. NASA worked the problem as a team to bring those Astronauts home. They didn't argue who is right and who is wrong, because if they did, the problem would have affected the lives of those Astronauts on Apollo 13 and their families.

If the world should fall apart, look at the ones that will still be there for us. When the going gets hard, calling out for help is how we represent Unity, not just as Americans, but as Citizens in Connecticut and our Country. Think about our non-profits, hospitals, veterans, military, law enforcements, fire fighters, EMT's, RED CROSS, Legislators that care for the American People, our Mayors in our local communities and more. Look at what they all do for US as one union of Citizens in America, citizens that are human beings.

The Statue of Liberty is more than a symbol of what America stands for. Just looking at Miss. Liberty, somehow you can hear the words - friendship, freedom, peace and unity. On Ellis Island, The Great Wall, our backs should never be against that wall. That wall represents the courage of our ancestors and why they came to America; to establish the American Dream by settling to their destination of location, land and build a home, employment and freedom for their family and generations following. That Great Wall of Honor represents Family Unity.

Until you take the trip to NYC, get on the Ferry to Miss. Liberty then to Miss. Ellis Island, it is there that you will clearly understand what The United States of America is and what it took to gain our freedom stemming back from our ancestors and those who fought for the birth of America. It is there you will understand why we need to continue to support our Military, Fire Fighters, Legislators and our Red Cross and most of all, each other.

Together we will remain United and we will rise above anything and everything. Just look at the smile on the Statue of Miss. Liberty, look at the names on The Great Wall, look at Ground Zero and remember through all the wars America has battled, through all the economical changes, through everything America has faced, we rose above and remained by standing United together just by listening to the needs of others.

The Statue Of Liberty is a value for what it represents and means to be a citizen of The United States of America. Keep in mind that today's youth is tomorrow's future. As generations of families grow, what we do today to make a difference, are changes that today's youth will lead tomorrow for generations to come.