Eleven years ago, I remember coming home from work before going of for some training for lunch. I switched on the television to hear that a plane had flown into one of the World Trade Centre towers. At the time, it was thought to be a terrible accident. And then I saw the second plane fly into the second tower. And then everyone knew that this was no accident.
I went to the training, and I remember telling people that two planes had been flown into the World Trade Centre towers. I did not think that people really took that much notice of what I said at the time. I suspect they, like the rest of the world, realised that this was an important event that night.
I remember the bravery of those who ran into the towers to save others, and instead died when the towers collapsed or lived and still suffer the ill effects of the collapse. I remember seeing those above the burning floors on both buildings, those on the second tower knowing that after the first tower collapsed, that they were about to die.
I knew things had changed, but like so many people, I had no idea just how much things would still change.
So tonight, my prayers go out to those who died in the twin towers, those rescuers who died or are ill now, and of course, those who died fighting for freedom and democracy, and the many civilians who have died when caught in the resulting crossfire.
