September 11 Article

"On Sept. 11, A Day that Stands Alone"

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/12/nyregion/september-11-anniversary.html?ref=sept112001

The author, Robert D. McFadden, focuses most on the human cost in the article, and the still-mourning families. He passes over the political appearances and speeches, but points out that this is a day of remembrance, not for politics. For example, when describing how at the ceremony, family members read the names of the dead, "The names have become central to the ceremonies, read over the years by first responders, children, siblings, parents and others." It's a reminder that the consequences of September 11, have not only been reflected on a global scale, but on families, and ordinary people. He adds to that by interviewing family members of the deceased, and describing the impacts that their deaths had on the people who loved them.

Another choice he made was to describe what a beautiful blue sky there was on the morning of September 11, 2011. It's reminiscent of the descriptions of another beautiful morning, that ended in tragedy. Towards the end of the article, when the day is winding down, he describes it as "peace prevailed", a little bit of opinion snuck in to an otherwise informative article, a reminder that everyone wanted their to be peace on this day.

For me, I was really glad that the article focused on the human cost. My aunt worked in the second tower, but she didn't go into work that day. If we had been less lucky, I would have wanted this day remembered as one of peace, and for memory, not for political posturing.