CLEVELAND — 20 years, the trajectory of the world changed drastically when the United States was attacked by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001. Thousands of lives were lost; husbands, wives, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers-- all taken too soon. Gone, but never forgotten.
This week, WKYC has highlighted stories remembering 9/11
Below, 3News contributor Chris Webb shares a transcript of his poem in memory of the fateful day, and the years of struggle and perseverance that followed.
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"20 years back, an unremarkable work week shifted to chaos
A bland Tuesday soon turned deadly, an unknown group became famous
A storm rolled over our country and sent shockwaves through the globe
But it began as just a normal morning 20 years ago
Sleepy shops opened, coffee brewed, commuters left their homes and traveled
Unaware of the depravity that soon would be unraveled
That morning school bells and campuses began daily endeavors
The last moments before our entire trajectory severed
Before soldiers sent response, and mourning took our nation’s peace
Before our ways of trusting changed through trauma’s that still haven’t ceased
Before our policies and laws shifted, our government and land
Before prevention and defense became the chief path of our plans
Before things exponentially increased in ways I can’t display
Before the complex fallout that I struggle to track, and relay
While I can’t measure the full impact, or far-reaching politics,
What I can do is stop and pay respects to those people we miss
The ones we lost, who left their houses Tuesday morning in routine
Who boarded flights, or went to work with passion, family, and dreams
Who never thought that infamy sat on those calendars and clocks
I’ll say these words for them, the souls with potential yet left unlocked
The children who saw from TV’s that grew and became soldiers from it
The families who held their screens because their loved ones felt earth plummet
The friends, co-workers, the firefighters, mother’s, sons and fathers
The police, the daughters, doctors, cousins, ones who searched for hours
The humanity in chaos, the prayer circles in the storm
The hands that reached into the flames, the arms that pulled hope from the storm
The hearts that broke but still beat brave, let’s pause and please reflect on them
Because these 20 years have changed us all, but their pain has no end
And let’s honor the ones who died by holding close to ones who live
Let our tribute be to be kind, to cherish life, and to forgive,
Let’s carry on with strength and peace, and let love be our only debt
As we march on, let's show with our actions that we never forget."
MORE REMEMBERING 9/11 COVERAGE: