My view of 9/11 & what it means

There has been so much written about 9/11 so many vivid terrifying pictures. So many documentaries. I wondered what more could ever be said. I remember that ten days after 9/11 I landed in the US on one of the first international flights allowed back in. As I started my visit it was such a surreal atmosphere. The initial horror was now slowly turning to anger and the search was on to find those responsible. 

As an Australian at times I did not know what to say it was like being there but not really being there. Like an uninvited guest you feel uncomfortable not knowing how to help or to express your sorrow without it sounding contrived. Slowly how ever over the next month I came to see the best in people even in such adversity and it went beyond nationality or religion it was people helping people. 

If I may be so bold to offer my thoughts on the future of the US from down under here in Australia I would simply say remember what is the best of the US and hold to that. Don't let bigotry or hatred turn your faces from what makes your country what it is. Remember your founding fathers the enlightenment and how you turned a group of disparate colonies into the USA. As you all take time out today to think about 9/11 as a visitor to your shores my wish is that you will all continue to find strength from each other as one of our Australian politicians said decades ago "To find the light on the hill."

cross posted to Google+