New York Post
September 11, 2006 -- Five years - an eternity, of sorts. Yet, the horror visited upon America 1,826 days ago this morning seems as if it arrived only yesterday.
On that sun-dappled September morn half a decade ago, the world could not have seemed more glorious. The illusion was shattered at 8:46 a.m., when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower - igniting America's War on Terror.
In the next hour and 16 minutes, three more planes crashed: United Flight 175, hitting the South Tower; American Flight 77, striking the Pentagon, and United Flight 93, forced down in a Pennsylvania field by everyday passengers - the first American soldiers in the new war.
So much was lost that day.
And yet, Americans instantly drew from a well of courage and fortitude they barely knew they had.
That was seen in the selfless efforts of firefighters and cops - 403 of whom gave their lives in the process.
In the heroics aboard Flight 93.
In the bravery of young Americans in uniform, who presently would take the fight to the enemy overseas.
And in the millions of Americans who picked themselves up and just went back to work.
That courage can also be seen in those whose loved ones were among the 2,973 victims who died in the attack. Including those fated to grow up without a parent.
For the past four years, The Post has tracked 12 of those kids. Tamara Beckwith and Dan Kadison talk with them again in today's issue.
Their pain and loss are palpable.
"There's that empty spot where someone's supposed to be there, and they're just not," says Ashley Herold, now 17. Her father, Gary Herold, was a risk-management supervisor with Aon Corp.
"It's always something you carry with you - like a burden," says Chris Weiman, also 17, who lost his mom, Mary Lenz Wieman, that day. "It's that powerful, and you can't let go that easily."
These kids know all-too-well what was stolen from them - even those too young to have spent many years with their folks.
David Hobbs was just eight when his dad, Thomas, perished. "I was in 3rd grade," David says. "I was just getting to know him." He suggests his dad's memory has become a treasure.
Jacquelyn Hobbs, meanwhile, had to muster the strength to learn to drive without the dad she always thought would teach her. Chris braves big tests in school absent his mom - though he often calls on her for spiritual support.
Courage?
Tommy Gies, 23, endured the death of his firefighter dad, Lt. Ronnie Gies - and signed right up with the FDNY himself. His brothers, Ronnie and Bobby, say they'll do the same.
When the time comes.
But what of the future?
What of the war?
Before 9/11, the nation had been lulled by the end of the Cold War - the end of history, it was called - unaware of the menace brewing in faraway places.
But while America might not have been interested in terrorism, to paraphrase Trotsky, terrorism clearly was interested in America.
And so it came roaring in on a bright September morning. America hadn't asked for war, but rose swiftly to the challenge when war came - all around the world.
Is America winning that war?
Mistakes have been made - indeed, the history of warfare is littered with mistakes. But there has been no second strike on America's shores since that dreadful day five years ago.
Does America have the staying power to win a protracted war on terror? That is a compelling question - but perhaps not a proper topic for today.
Surely it is enough that America is safer today.
Not safe.
Safer.
That counts for a lot.
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