When the world stood still, and heroism showed its real self

Whoom!

The building shook; we looked at each other absolutely stunned.

“What the heck was that?”

September 11, 2001. It was a day that will always be in my mind; a day when the world, for most people who were at the Pentagon that day, came to a standstill. I was lucky; I was at the other end of my office, which was located in the E-Ring of the Pentagon, next to the Main Command Entrance. If I had been in my office, would I have been here to tell the story? I don’t know; life plays strange tricks on us. Call me a fatalist; it just was not my time, but for others the bells tolled vociferously.

As I recall, there was less panic and more a sense of urgency. Without thinking, most people ran towards the explosion, not away from it. People young and old, male and female, quite unthinking, went to help the handicapped, the hurt, and the distraught ones. It was a day, which highlighted the true character of the American people—people who braved the debris of broken masonry and bent steel; people who went not once, but over and over to drag an unfortunate colleague; people who had no equipment. Their only goal was to pull their comrades from the wreck of the hell caused by twisted minds.

Was it only eight years ago? In retrospect, all I can think is: why do we only show our best side when the chips are down? Why can’t we apply the same approach to everyday problems? Maybe I am a dreamer, but dreams come true. Maybe, this country will once more rise out of the ashes of polarity to the new beginnings of a unified nation. Maybe Democrats and Republicans will look at the problems as Americans and not party enthusiasts; maybe, we will pull together for the good of the people, not the good of certain sections of the people. Maybe, all of us can look forward to a better, cleaner, and more giving United States.

Maybe! Maybe! Maybe! I can dream, can’t I?

Riaz Sahibzada