Patriotism is being proud of your own nation while having the humility to honour other nations. — ShadowsPub
It’s not particularly surprising the word ‘patriotism’ would show up on 9/11. It seems almost surreal that I can write ‘9/11’ and most readers know that I’m referring to the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 in which 2,753 innocent people lost their lives that day. Many more would die as a direct result in the years to come.
I was working on a web design project that day. My client called to discuss the project with me and mentioned that ‘a plane flew into the World Trade Center’ during the conversation. I went on with my work thinking it would be a small private plane.
A short time later my parish priest called to discuss Sunday’s service. I was the parish secretary at the time and responsible for creating the church bulletin. During the call he burst into tears as he asked me if I was watching New York. He told me 200 firefighters had gone into the World Trade Center and none had come out.
After the call was over I turned on the TV and was horrified to discover what was going on. My horror was quickly followed by disbelief. How could this happen? This couldn’t be true. I kept watching, hoping, praying, that this was a War of the Worlds type hoax and someone would soon report this was all fiction.
But, it wasn't’. The world had just changed in ways we were yet to learn.
The sky over North America closed, grounding all air travel. A couple of days later I drove past the Canadian military base not far from where I live. It was jarring to see gates that were normally open, closed, with soldiers in combat gear guarding them. It was a period of fear and uncertainty of what else might be coming.
For my own sanity I had to pull myself away from the horrifying reports of 9/11. I needed to seek out some humanity, something positive happening. I found it in a story out of Gander, Newfoundland. Many of the planes ordered out of the sky landed in this small community.
The people of Gander did what Newfoundlanders are known for, they opened their hearts and their homes to feed and house the stranded passengers on those planes. Friendships formed that continue to this day and will be remembered for generations to come. A hit Broadway musical “Come from Away” tells the story. It closed in 2022 but the film of the performance can be found on Apple TV.
It reminded me of the Halifax Explosion of 1917 in which a munitions ship collided with another ship in Halifax harbour on the morning of December 6th. It leveled much of the city killing over 1700 and another 9000 injured. Before the day was out, the city of Boston had dispatched a relief train of supplies and medical aid. A gesture of kindness that is still remembered to this day.
It’s acts of kindness like those at a time of national disasters we’re reminded of the interconnectedness of us all. Connections that no border can stop. The need for people to reach out, to support others who need it. In the mass grief and anger that followed the events of 9/11 finding the acts of humanity became vital, to find a sense of balance and normality.
As the numbers started to emerge, we learned the attack on the United States had a collateral effect of attacking 114 other nations, including 24 Canadians killed. There were almost 400 first responders killed. Almost 400 people who rushed into do their jobs of serving and protecting civilians without thought for their own lives. No wonder my parish priest broke into tears while telling me.
A total of 115 nations impacted by an attack orchestrated by hate. It’s an illustration of the interconnectedness of humanity. In the states, 20% of Americans knew someone who was injured or killed on 9/11. That percentage of people impacted by 9/11 would grow when factoring in those impacted by the response to the attacks.
A response that would reach into my country as we sent Canadians into combat for the first time since the Korea War. When the fallen were brought home, I was among the thousands who would be on the overpasses between Trenton and Toronto to honour them and their families as they traveled the “Highway of Heroes”.
The world had changed in ways we’re still counting. What hasn’t changed is how connected we are to each other. Have pride in what is good in your country, question what needs to be questioned, and honour others pride in their respective countries.
I long for the day when love does more to bind us together than hatred does to divide us.
Shadowspub writes on a variety of subjects as she pursues her passion for learning. She also writes on other platforms and enjoys creating books you use like journals, notebooks, coloring books etc. Her Nicheless Narrative podcast airs on Thursdays each week.
NOTE: unless otherwise stated, all images are the author’s.
Some of the image work may have been done in Midjourney for which I hold a licence to use the imges commercially.
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