Today marks the 4th anniversary of the destruction of the World Trade Center. That morning, I was studying in Hachey Commons at William Mitchell College of Law. I looked up and noticed a group of people staring at a television in the corner of the room, so I walked over and joined them just as the second plane hit and turned into a giant fireball. As I was turning away to go to class, the first building fell. (Ours was an “online” section, so we all had wireless Internet access for taking quizzes, downloading study materials, etc. The professor made a futile plea for all of us to pay attention for the next hour.)
Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast earlier this month and the resulting damage continues to climb. While surfing the Web, reading the newspaper and watching the television, we learn of horrors unimaginable to those of us who have never experienced it. A city under water, people jammed into a football stadium for safety as they run out of food and water, homes and belongings completely destroyed… a descent into chaos.
From chaos comes order. A nation, united as one to recover from these tragedies. By donating money or clothes, giving aid to people who have nothing left or simply providing moral support, we will work together and we will recover. In the face of tragedy, we are family. Brothers and sisters, I light a candle for those whom we have lost. Be safe and be well.
