From 110 stories above the metropolitan hustle and bustle, the Lundy’s witnessed a breathtaking view of New York City from one of the tower’s observation decks.
The Lundy’s spent the final afternoon of their father-daughter getaway visiting the national landmarks that were built in the early 1970s.
“That we chose to spend our last afternoon on this trip atop the World Trade Center and Statue of Liberty speak to the importance we attached to these landmarks and historic treasures,” said the eldest Lundy.
Back in Cedartown, it was Lundy’s wife Catharine who called him at work and told him that the 200,000-ton steel structure that he and daughter Laura visited only a week-and-a-half before, was beginning to crumble and collapse.
“I was at work earlier than usual on Sept. 11, 2001…it was one of those days you remember,” recalled Lundy.
Since the attacks, the Lundy’s have visited New York City twice, attending the U.S. Tennis Open in what now has become an annual excursion to the Big Apple.
“That something so bad could happen so quickly and catastrophically is at once the paradox of 9-11 and really life itself,” shared Lundy.
Looking back over ticket stubs and photographs from the now infamous 2001 trip, Lundy expresses a sense of astonishment. “For all the original reasons – evidence of fun and proof that we were in New York on that day and time – an added dimension of disbelief became our continued immediate thought as we look at the photographs now.”
Lundy states that he and his daughter discuss the events surrounding their trip often.
They bear in mind this thought when remembering the victims of the terroristic attacks.
“September 11 to the sharpest point was a day about people (terrorists) who hated us so bad they were willing to die to kill and hurt us,” stated Lundy, “Constrasted with people (firemen, policemen, rescue workers) who loved us so much they were willing to die to save us….almost 3,000 souls entered into eternity that day.”
Besides sharing memories and mementos of a structure that no longer stands, the Lundy’s share a renewed meaning of life.
“Our greatest lesson from Sept. 11 is that we must not waste life,” says Lundy. “It is not that Sept. 11 taught us what to do with our life – it just taught us how we can do better with the precious gift of life God has given us.”
Though few organized activities have been planned for Cedartown’s general public to solemnize the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania’s Somerset County, most residents will remember the somber occasion in their own private way.
Schools and other community institutes will take part in small-scale remembrances today, and churches across town have touched on the anniversary during their Sunday morning services.
Children attending Westside Elementary School will honor those who lost their lives in the 2001 attack and show support for the United States by donning red, white and blue clothing today.
Deemed as “Patriotic Day,” Westside principal Marshall Thaxton explained the reason for the show of American colors. “This is just one way we can conduct a memorial in observance of Sept. 11,” he said.
Northside Elementary students paused in a moment of silence to remember the victims of the World Trade Center attacks this morning before diving into textbooks.
Scenes like this play out all over the country today as citizens remember the calm September morning of 2001 that soon turned into tragedy.
As a way to show appreciation to local public safety personnel like firefighters and EMS workers, Polk Medical Center and the Cedartown Wal-Mart will host special events during the day.
Polk Medical will provide a free lunch for all Cedartown public safety workers from 11 a. until 1 p.m. Cindy Johnson, organizer for the event, stated that she hopes a large crowd will turn out for the event.
Last year, the hospital served a free meal to over 400 workers.
The Cedartown Wal-Mart will provide refreshments for safety personnel from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Both Wal-Mart and Polk Medical Center hopes to continue this show of appreciation every year on the anniversary of the attacks that killed roughly 3,000 people, including law enforcement officials and public safety workers.
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