THIS IS AMERICA - September 9, 2002: One Year After Sept. 11
By Jerilyn Watson
AP
VOICE ONE:
Last year on September eleventh, more than three-thousand people were killed in terrorist attacks on the United
States. It was the worst terrorist attack in American history. I’m Mary Tillotson.
VOICE TWO:
And I’m Bob Doughty. The United States after the terrorist attacks is
our report today on the VOA Special English program, THIS IS
AMERICA.
((THEME))
VOICE ONE:
Last September eleventh, Islamist terrorists hijacked two passenger airplanes and flew them into the World Trade
Center in New York City. The two giant buildings were destroyed. Another hijacked plane struck and damaged
the Defense Department headquarters near Washington, D.C. Still another hijacked plane crashed near
Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The victims included Americans of many races and religions. Many foreign citizens
also died in the attacks.
Now, a year later, some Americans say life seems normal again. Others say the United States will never be the
same again.
VOICE TWO:
Religious services and other programs will observe the anniversary throughout the nation. White House officials
helped organize a Concert for America. It will be broadcast on television Wednesday. Many Americans will
watch other television programs about the attacks. However, other Americans say they will not observe the
anniversary. They say they can best honor the victims by making life as normal as possible.
Now, we share some memories of what America was like after September eleventh, two-thousand-one.
VOICE ONE:
New York City changed forever that day. The attacks destroyed a huge part of the financial center of the city.
Everyone seemed to know someone who died in the attacks. A young financial worker says his office will always
seem empty because so many workers were killed.
Again and again, Americans heard the sounds of bagpipes as musicians played “Amazing Grace.” The song
honored the memory of three-hundred-forty-three firefighters and twenty-three police officers. They died trying
to save people in the World Trade Center. The song also honors more than two-thousand-four-hundred civilians
who did not escape.
((MUSIC))
VOICE TWO:
Near Washington, D-C, people left flowers and messages near one heavily damaged wall of the Defense
Department headquarters. One hundred-eighty-four military service members and civilians died there.
In both target areas, rescue teams worked day and night to recover people and bodies from the wreckage. Some
survivors had terrible burns and crushing injuries. No one survived the plane crash in Pennsylvania.
VOICE ONE:
After the attacks, many Americans prayed. They crowded into Christian churches, Jewish temples and Islamic
mosques. A Protestant clergyman in the state of Maryland said he had never before seen so many people at
services.
People across America experienced great shock, fear, sadness and loss. They also felt a renewed love for their
country. They put American flags on their houses, cars and businesses. And they sang patriotic songs like “God
Bless America.
”
For days after the attacks, most planes stopped flying. Only military aircraft could be seen in the air. When
normal flights began again, many people decided not to travel by air because they were afraid. The airline and
travel industries suffered. Thousands of hotel workers and others lost their jobs. Many other businesses suffered
as well. Financial markets showed major losses.
VOICE TWO:
Thousands of Islamic American citizens, other Arabs and people from Middle Eastern countries had no
connection with terrorism. But many reported being insulted or attacked. Some lost their jobs.
In October, the United States began a war against terrorism in Afghanistan. The United States led a coalition
against the terrorists and their supporters. The United States defeated the Taleban rulers in Afghanistan and
removed them from power. It also captured a number of Taleban fighters and al-Qaida terrorists.
VOICE ONE:
The United States government also seized more than five-hundred foreign citizens and held them in secret. Most
of these people had violated immigration laws. No terrorism charges were brought against them. Human rights
activists and some legal experts protested the treatment of the prisoners. The activists said holding people in
secret without trial violates the United States Constitution.
Later, there was some criticism that government agencies did not cooperate to gather intelligence that might have
prevented the terrorist attacks. President Bush created a new Office of Homeland Security. Its job is to strengthen
preparations and defenses against terrorism.
VOICE TWO:
As time passed, the public learned more about the forty civilian passengers on the hijacked plane that crashed in
Pennsylvania. The passengers found out about the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. They were
killed trying to prevent their plane from crashing into another important building.
One of them called out “Let’s roll!” as they tried to regain control of the plane from the terrorists. Americans
soon made “Let’s roll!” a common expression.
((MUSIC)) VOICE ONE:
One year later, the nation has taken many steps toward recovery. Still, the events of September eleventh strongly
influence our lives. Many Americans called to military service have returned to civilian life. A Marine Corps
pilot who flew supply planes in the Middle East says home means more to him now than ever before.
Some Americans whose family members were killed in the attacks are taking legal action. They are trying to
recover financial damages from individuals and banks they believe share responsibility for the terrorist attacks. A
few families have accepted money from the United States government in settlement for the loss of loved ones.
VOICE TWO:
Workers completed the cleanup of the area where the World Trade Center stood in May. Every day, almost
thirty-thousand people visit the area to see where the attack took place and to honor those who died there.
Design experts from around the world have proposed plans for new buildings in the area. There will be a
memorial to the victims as well as a business center.
VOICE ONE:
Mental health experts across the nation have been helping people suffering from sadness and fear after the
attacks. Family members of victims have attended meetings of support groups to help them recover from their
loss.
Many World Trade Center victims lived in Rockville Centre, New York. A family support center there has a
special wall for prayers and messages. Children who lost a parent can write their thoughts and place them on the
wall.
Many people around the country were not directly affected by the tragedy. Still, they say their lives have
changed. They say they now spend less time working and more time with their families. They also say they
telephone family members in other cities more often.
VOICE TWO:
The American economy is showing signs of recovery. However, many people have lost savings for their old age.
A retired clergyman in the state of Florida says he and his wife are worried about their economic future. The
travel industry and related businesses are still having problems. Many Americans still are driving cars for short
trips instead of flying.
People who do fly say it is much more difficult because of increased security at airports. A businesswoman from
California must fly often as part of her job. She says she dislikes waiting in security lines that take much longer
than they did before September eleventh.
VOICE ONE:
For many Americans, daily life continues much as it did before the attacks. But people often ask each other
where they were on September eleventh.
Marie Reeder lives near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She knows exactly what she was doing on that day. She was
celebrating her eighty-second birthday with family members. Her birthday had always been a happy event. This
year, however, it will not be the same. Marie Reeder will celebrate her birthday. But she will also think about
what happened to America on September eleventh, two-thousand-one.
((MUSIC))
VOICE TWO:
This program was written by Jerilyn Watson. It was produced by George Grow. I’m Bob Doughty.
VOICE ONE:
And I’m Mary Tillotson. Join us again next week for another report about life in the United States on the VOA
Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.
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