Smoke Signals at Ground Zero

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/09/smoke-signals/?scp=3&sq=survivor%20september%2011th%20editorial&st=Search

This entry in the New York Times is a story about a man, the author, Jake Seigel, who decided to, on the day of the attack, travel from Boston, where he was studying at university, to Manhattan. It shines light on the wreckage, and on the people that sought to shuffle up scraps of hope in the hours that followed the disaster. To survivors they handed out supplies, opening a Salvation Army though there were no actual Salvation Army workers to be seen. A young lady brought all unused coffee from a coffee shop to a Starbucks near Ground Zero, where the workers are busy sorting through the debris. It was these acts of kindness and selflessness that helped America rise up from the ashes, and I believe that's what the author was trying to pick out. Even in times of trouble, our nation can still gather itself up and be strong. After the attack many people, including the author, signed up to fight for the country, against these cruel acts of terrorism. He writes "It’s been 10 years of thinking and fighting, of wrestling with Salafists and war profiteers..." He concludes the article in this way, to reflect not only on then, but also on now. Now, those directly involved in some way will always hold a piece of the disaster with them.