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Americans remain unterrorized
By Rudolph W. Giuliani
Former mayor of New York City
In the six months that have passed since thousands of people died in the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, thousands more have journeyed to the site where the twin towers once stood to pay homage to New York's victims. Visiting Ground Zero is a very difficult, very painful experience. But, for me, it is also very inspiring.
— Rudolph W. Giuliani Advertiser library photo • Dec. 11, 2001
The site is an enduring reminder that on Sept. 11, the very day the attacks occurred, America won the war against the terrorists. Now we must continue to win all the battles.
"Living in freedom gives you a reserve of bravery and determination that you don't even know you have until your way of life is placed in jeopardy."
The intent of the people who attacked our country was to destroy our spirit. This was an attack on the very idea of a free, inclusive and civil society. Yes, the terrorists wanted to kill our people. And, tragically, they succeeded in doing that. But they didn't succeed in their ultimate objective: to frighten us and to prove that we were weak.
Those who attacked us believed that we didn't have the same resolve to defend ourselves as past generations of Americans.
But they were wrong. In the very first moments after the attacks — and in the struggle aboard United Airlines Flight 93 — Americans spontaneously demonstrated that, when put to the test, we are just as brave, just as dedicated and just as willing as our ancestors to give our lives to defend political freedom, economic freedom, religious freedom and all the other values for which our country stands.
And that is the real story of Sept. 11 — the story of the hundreds and hundreds of firefighters, police officers, rescue workers, emergency workers and other brave Americans who gave their lives without hesitating to save others and to defend America.
The hidden heroes
When I see Ground Zero, I think of the off-duty firefighters who came to the World Trade Center the moment they heard about the attacks — and lost their lives there. I also think of the people we will never be able to honor effectively enough.
Advertiser library photo
We know about the firefighters and police officers and emergency workers we lost. We know their names, and we're able to honor them and help their families. The ones we don't know about are the hidden heroes. I was told about a man — a father, who I believe was 69 years old and worked at the World Trade Center. On the day of the attacks, as his building was being evacuated, he let everyone who was younger than him get on the elevators first.
Rescue workers raise a flag in the rubble of the collapsed World Trade Center.
Several elevators took people to safety. When the last two elevators were leaving, people encouraged him to get on. But he said, "No, no. I've lived a long life. You really have to be saved first. I'll get out. Don't worry."
And of course, he never got out.
There are many such heroes and heroines buried there — people who let somebody go first, who comforted someone, who maybe turned back to help someone else.
Often, I think about what would have happened if people had acted differently. What if they'd done what the terrorists thought they would?
I'm sure the terrorists' plan was to create panic and chaos. They knew the attacks themselves would kill a certain number of people, but they believed that the chaotic way people would respond would kill even more.
Advertiser library photo
Men and women would trample one another, hurt one another other, even kill one another to get out.
A service at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23 evoked another display of the reinvigorated American spirit.
The terrorists expected to see a massive example of cowardice. And they expected fear and panic to divide our country.
Instead, the response was the opposite: It was a great example of bravery and dedication. It is amazing to watch videotapes made at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, to see how orderly the people were as they evacuated the buildings.
Sure, they walked and ran away and did the things they were supposed to do to save themselves and others. But they didn't do the one thing the terrorists expected them to: panic.
Instead, people controlled themselves. They acted as calmly as they could in that situation — and in doing so they held down the number of casualties dramatically.
A city and country united
In the days following the attack, the country united and embraced the people of New York. Every state, every city, every part of America helped us — with police officers, firefighters, emergency workers, healthcare workers, religious leaders, volunteers and equipment.
The sheer number of people and their sincere willingness to help was overpowering. In many cases, they could help; in some cases, they really couldn't. But their presence gave the people of New York a tremendous feeling of support.
Advertiser library photo
New York City was able to deal with this tragedy — and overcome it — largely because it received so much aid and encouragement from the rest of the country.
At an Oct. 11 service at the Pentagon, Navy Cmdr. Yvette Brownwhaller held a young member of a victim's family, demonstrative of how Sept. 11 pulled Americans closer to each other.
The people of America made us feel that we were part of something much, much bigger than even our own city, something much greater and more important: We were a part of the United States of America.
When we think about the horrible events of Sept. 11, it's important to remember that we were attacked because of our beliefs. We were attacked because we fiercely believe in religious, political and economic freedom and the terrorists fiercely believe in tyranny and oppression.
But a free people will always prevail. Living in freedom gives you a reserve of bravery and determination that you don't even know you have until your way of life is placed in jeopardy.
We should see the World Trade Center site as a reminder that freedom and democracy come at a heavy price — the price of vigilance. And we must never close our eyes to those who seek to tear away at the values we fight so hard to preserve.
