We Will Never Forget….

On the 15th Anniversary of the terrorist attack on NYC, Sept. 11, 2001 I thought I would simply post photo’s of what Ground Zero looks like now rather than those horrific photo’s of the attack and aftermath that are etched in our minds forever. The Photo’s are taken from a google search of the 9/11 Memorial site. I have never visited the museum nor any of the 9/11 Memorials, it’s too painful.

This is a ritual for me, it’s cathartic. I am compelled to do this because on the anniversary of this horrific tragedy I don’t want to forget, as painful as that is. We have to remember the lives that were lost, each one a member of someones family and as I watch the 9/11 memorial service on TV, as the families are reading the names of each victim their grief and sense of loss is palpable. I am also reminded that our safety and security is so fragile and it’s so important to be vigilant. Since 9/11/2001 our world has changed, not for the better I’m afraid. I am proud to be an American and a New Yorker but frankly live with fear that this can happen again here as it has elsewhere. Remember Paris, Nice, Brussels, California, Texas and any country city or state that has been touched by violent extremist fanatical terrorism. I timed this to post at the time the first plane struck the World Trade Center 8:46 AM.

This was the deadliest attack to date world wide. There were 2,996 fatalities that includes those that lost their lives on the 4 planes that crashed, 2 into the towers, one into the Pentagon and one, because of heroic passengers went down in a field in Shanksville, PA rather than hitting its intended target. This number does not reflect the criminal terrorists that died perpetrating these heinous acts of violence.

As of August 2013 1,140 people who lived, worked or studied in Lower Manhattan have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of exposure to toxins. 1400 Emergency responders have died from cancer as a result of direct exposure to the toxins.

I also want to remember the canine first responders who were used in the search and rescue operation in the aftermath. Animal lovers from across this great nation came together to donate money and dog boots and other things needed by these canine heroes, they were in bad shape with cut and burned paws. They spent countless hours sniffing through the debris in the hopes of finding someone alive. The photo’s below are of one of the dogs Bretagne who died at the age of 17 in June of this year. A real canine hero who with her handler worked 12+ hours a day sorting through rubble. It’s a heartwarming story if you care to read it, she was treated as a hero in life and death.

Photo’s from NBC Pet Stories