Tuesday, September 11, 2007

911 - after 6 years

On September 11, 2001 morning four commercial passenger jet airliners were crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, one plane into each tower, resulting in the collapse of both buildings soon afterward and irreparable damage to nearby buildings, while the third airliner (AA77) crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia and the fourth plane crashed into a field near the town of Shanksville in rural Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

In addition to the 19 hijackers, 2,974 people died as an immediate result of the attacks, and the death of at least one person from lung disease was ruled by a medical examiner to be a result of exposure to WTC dust. Another 24 people are missing and presumed dead. The victims were predominantly civilians.

It's the day everyone wishes not to remember. But, there could be at least one reason I wish to remember that day.

It was the day when Malaysia beat arch-rival and favorite Indonesia in the final of badminton men's team event of the SEA Games. Prior to that, Malaysia last won the gold medal for the event in 2001, a 10-year wait for the national team. And I was there in Stadium Malawati Shah Alam, cheering out loud for the national team when I received an sms about the attack on the WTC, which didn't bother me for at least until I finished singing Negaraku during the victory-ceremony.

Many people, at first, thought it's just another action movie by the Americans, but the reality sunk in after watching the footage of the collapse of the WTC which was shown on tv again and again and again.

And after a lengthy debate on the future of the WTC site, including dispute on the winning design of the proposed building, issue on leasing right of the site and security of the the new building, a final design for the tower, Freedom Tower, was formally unveiled on June 28, 2006.

Its designers stated that the tower will be a "monolithic glass structure reflecting the sky and topped by a sculpted antenna." In terms of a completion date, developer Larry Silverstein stated "By 2012 we should have a completely rebuilt World Trade Center more magnificent, more spectacular than it ever was." It is projected that steel for the building will be visible above ground in 2008, with a topping out in 2010. The building is projected to be ready for occupancy in the first quarter of 2011.

Whether the Freedom Tower will be greater or as great as WTC, the latter will always be remembered, for some reasons. I'll remember WTC for couple of reasons at least - the Sept 11 attack and because I've been there when I was lean, 28-inch waistline and 105lbs weight young virgin :-)

4 comments:

Unknown said...

ya allah, mudanya muka ko masa nih ahahaha

DeLinn

K i a H R o N g G e n G said...

TU=u gambo kamu ke??uiisskk tak caya lah!

Elf said...

Pergh, leher sejinjang putri.. Hahahaha, sama je style ko ngan laki aku masa muda dulu, muka sejinjang, pakai spek police, pakai cap..hahahaha..

sitynuress said...

so not you!!
baru aku notice leher ko rupanya jinjang ek..
hahahhhha

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