Remembering 9-11 Twenty Years Later

President Proclaims Patriot Day, Day of Remembrance  

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as “Patriot Day,” and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the Congress has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized “National Day of Service and Remembrance”. President Biden officially proclaimed September 11, 2021, as Patriot Day.

In his remarks, the President said "Twenty years ago, the United States endured one of the most unconscionable tragedies in our country’s history. The cowardly terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and onboard United Flight 93 cut short the lives of 2,977 innocent people. These attacks tore a hole in the heart of our Nation, and the pain of this tragedy still remains. Each year on this somber date, we remember the horror and bravery shown that day, just as we remember how we came together, united in grief and in purpose. Each year, we renew our solemn vow to never forget what happened on September 11, 2001, or those who lost their lives. 

 On Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, we honor every life that was taken too soon. We honor the first responders — firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency workers, and service members — who answered the call of duty, and the brave civilians who rushed into action to save lives that day. Their courage embodies the American spirit and resilience, and their heroism continues to inspire new generations of Americans. ”

View our WTC Memorial Album on Shutterfly

During our pre-conference stay in New York in 2013, we decided to revisit the site of the World Trade Center.  The site was quite different from the last time we were there.   Rebuilding of the towers was moving along nicely.  The 9/11 Memorial fountains had been completed.  Click on the link above to view the album.

click on images to enlarge

Remembering 9/11/2001

As President Biden said, we vividly remember where we were on 9/11.  Each year we recall where we were when learning about the terrorist attacks.   We were on the inaugural voyage of Norwegian Sun, thousands of miles from home in Paris, France.   Our tour bus was filled with our fellow passengers, the majority of whom lived in New York.  The transatlantic cruise, we were on, was originally scheduled to conclude in New York but ended in Boston instead.

What was to have been a celebration of our 25th Anniversary, quickly became a very unique experience as we observed the hospitality and caring from so many people across the globe as our journey home continued.  Today as we celebrate our 45th Anniversary, we once again reflect on the moment we learned about the events unfolding thousands of miles away from where we were. 

See our article from 2011, FDNY May We Never Forget, on the 10th anniversary, as we recalled our journey back to New York to visit the site of the World Trade Center attacks.  Should your cruise vacation plans include New York, we recommend spending some time at the WTC Memorial and other historic sites in the city.

A World United

As we watched the twentieth anniversary remembrances we couldn't help but reflect on how the world was united right after the attacks twenty years ago.   Patriotism was at an all time high.   We had first-hand experiences  of sympathy and concern in every port of call we visited.    We met people who had taken strangers into their homes when planes were grounded.  The entire world was united.

Twenty years later, the world is facing a different crisis and we need to remember 9/11 and once again stand together in a common cause to defeat a different enemy.  This time it's a virus which is attacking our very way of life.   Once again, the first responders are on the front lines.   Let's not forget the heroes from 20 years ago and let us honor their memory by working together so that our current first responders don't have to be remembered for their sacrifices.

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Never Forget 9-11

President Proclaims Patriot Day, Day of Remembrance  

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as “Patriot Day,” and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the Congress has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized “National Day of Service and Remembrance”. President Trump officially proclaimed September 11, 2019, as Patriot Day.

In his remarks, the President said "In 2001, our Nation, united under God, made an unbreakable promise never to forget the nearly 3,000 innocent Americans who were senselessly killed on September 11. On this sacred day — Patriot Day — we solemnly honor that commitment. As the bells toll, we call by name those who perished in the terrorist attacks in New York, New York; Arlington, Virginia; and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. In cities and towns across our great country, we stand in solidarity to remember the victims and mourn their stolen hopes and dreams. "
He continued, "The courage, heroism, and resilience Americans displayed on 9/11, and in its aftermath, are perpetual testaments to the spirit of our country. While our Nation was anguished by this attack, the grit displayed that day — the very essence of America — was a reminder that our citizens have never failed to rise to the occasion. Heroes sprang into action in the face of great peril to help save their fellow Americans. Many laid down their lives. As we reflect on the events of that September morning, let us recommit to embrace the stalwart bravery displayed and reaffirm our dedication to defending liberty from all who wish to deny it. ”

View our WTC Memorial Album on Shutterfly

During our pre-conference stay in New York in 2013, we decided to revisit the site of the World Trade Center.  The site was quite different from the last time we were there.   Rebuilding of the towers was moving along nicely.  The 9/11 Memorial fountains had been completed.  Click on the link above to view the album.

click on images to enlarge

Remembering 9/11/2001

As President Trump said, we vividly remember where we were on 9/11.  Each year we recall where we were when learning about the terrorist attacks.   We were on the inaugural voyage of Norwegian Sun, thousands of miles from home in Paris, France.   Our tour bus was filled with our fellow passengers, the majority of whom lived in New York.  The transatlantic cruise, we were on, was originally scheduled to conclude in New York but ended in Boston instead.

What was to have been a celebration of our 25th Anniversary, quickly became a very unique experience as we observed the hospitality and caring from so many people across the globe as our journey home continued.  Today as we celebrate our 44th Anniversary, we once again reflect on the moment we learned about the events unfolding thousands of miles away from where we were. 

See our article from 2011, FDNY May We Never Forget, on the 10th anniversary, as we recalled our journey back to New York to visit the site of the World Trade Center attacks.  Should your cruise vacation plans include New York, we recommend spending some time at the WTC Memorial and other historic sites in the city.
 

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10 Years Later: Remembering our 9/11 Cruise Experience

10 Years Later  Where Were You

Source:  Irish Mirror front page September 13, 2001

On the occasion of an anniversary, as with many significant historical events, it is normal to reflect on that day and recall where you were at the time.  9/11 is a day that will go down in infamy just like Pearl Harbor, the Assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Challenger Crash, and many others.

Leading up to 9/11/2001

We departed the United States for Europe on Saturday, September 8, 2001, for a pre-cruise stay in London, England.   We spent two nights at the Thistle Marble Arch Hotel and got around the city by walking and taking The Tube.  Highlights of our London visit included the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square,  London Eye, Houses of Parliament, London Aquarium, and Westminster Abbey.

We enjoyed our visit to London but were anticipating an even better experience, as we headed for Southampton, England to board the Norwegian Sun.  The Sun was setting sail September 10th on its maiden voyage.  The Trans-Atlantic voyage was titled "The Path of the Vikings".

We would be visiting several ports of call: LeHavre, France (Paris), Cobb, Ireland, Glascow, Scotland (Greenock), Reykjavik, Iceland, St. John's Newfoundland, and Halifax, Nova Scotia.   This Trans-Atlantic crossing was scheduled to return to New York on September 26th.   Little did we know that our final port of call would be changed to Boston, MA due to the closure of New York harbor following the terrorist attacks.

Our first night onboard Norwegian Sun was enjoyable.   The Sun was the first Norwegian Cruise Line ship exclusively built for Freestyle Dining.   The first night was disorganized, but we met a couple from New York while waiting in line for dinner, and hit it off.   We had dinner with them for the remainder of the cruise.

Tuesday 9/11/2001 - Dateline Paris

We arrived in LeHavre, France as scheduled on September 11th, where we boarded a bus for the long journey to Paris, France.   This was our 25th Wedding Anniversary, and what could be more romantic than being in Paris.  This was the primary reason for the selection of this particular cruise.

We booked the 11 hour PARIS HIGHLIGHTS AND RIVER SEINE CRUISE tour that brought us to the City of Lights. Our guide pointed out sights along the way. While it is impossible to see all of Paris in one day, this tour gave us a chance to see its most famous attractions.

We saw the Arc de Triomphe,  Champs Elysees, Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower, and the Cathedral de Notre Dame.  We boarded a bateaux mouche-style riverboat and enjoyed lunch as we glided down the River Seine and saw the historic attractions of this treasure-filled city from a whole new perspective.  While we passed this replica of the Statue of Liberty in Paris, the terror was starting to unfold back in New York.

Learning of the World Trade Center Attacks


Following lunch we had some free time to shop in Paris.  We headed back to our bus for the return trip to LeHavre.   The French bus driver was making a diving motion with his hands as we boarded the bus.   Most of the passengers didn't understand what he was trying to convey.

There were a few people that had heard bits and pieces of the news while they were in one of the stores.   The driver had a French news station on the radio which is where he had learned about the attacks.   Someone got him to keep switching the radio stations until he found one broadcasting in English.   That's when a pall fell over the entire bus, as we listened in horror to the events that had just begun unfolding back home.

Recall that our cruise's final destination was scheduled to be New York.   We don't know the exact numbers, but we'd say that at least 90% of the passengers were from the New York area.  Imagine the horror of being so far from home, unable to contact your friends and family to see if they were safe.


Back On Board Norwegian Sun

Even as we write this page, ten years after the attacks, we still feel sad about the events of that day. What was a day that we had long looked forward to, is now a day that we wish we could forget. Our tour guide comforted us on the long ride back to the ship. She was the first of many that would be consoling us as the rest of the cruise continued.

Back on board, we watched CNN, had dinner, and got in line to make a phone call back home. We did go to the casino that night, trying to put everything out of our minds, but our heart wasn't in it.

The captain and crew of Norwegian Sun will always be remembered.  They were among the many heroes that day.  No, they weren't rescuing people trapped in the rubble, or putting their lives at risk, but they served a critical need for so many people, from New York and elsewhere, that were far away from home feeling a sense of helplessness.

Unique Perspective

Another thing that will live with us forever is the way that the people of many nations greeted us during the remainder of our cruise.  There had been much anticipation in those port cities surrounding the arrival of the Norwegian Sun, on the occasion of its maiden call to the ports.   Some ceremonies proceeded as planned, but most were subdued from the original gala celebrations that had been anticipated.  Greetings were first expressions of sorrow and support and then welcome to the cities.  Flags were lowered in respect for the dead and injured.  Newspapers were filled with the gripping pictures.

We have posted a photo album  9/11 Reflections From Our Vantage Point that capture some of what we've expressed here in images.

Related Website and Blog Posts of our 9/11 Cruise

Remembering 9/11 From Our Vantage Point

Reflections on 9/11

Keeping Us Safe 

This weekend marks the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 - May we Never Forget!

Thank you to all the brave men and women who came to the aid of strangers during this time