Keeping the Flame Alive: A Personal Reflection of 9/11

September 11, 2001, is a day etched into our collective memory and one we will never forget. Most people remember exactly where they were when the news broke, forever changing the world as we knew it. Wherever we were, the events of that day left a lasting imprint on our hearts and minds. It was a moment when time seemed to stand still, and the lives of so many were tragically altered. I still remember that unforgettable day and my whereabouts.

“My red-eye flight from Denver to London Heathrow, a quarterly routine for business reviews, landed smoothly around 11:00 AM London time. It was always a brutal 48-hour turnaround, done so quickly that my body couldn’t process any jet lag. Years of frequent travel taught me to travel light. I’d try to rest during the flight, freshen up with coffee and a quick routine before landing, and get ready for the day ahead.

Everything seemed routine as our taxi arrived at our European headquarters, with one exception. It was just after 9:00 AM Eastern Time on September 11, 2001. Unaware of the unfolding events during our drive from the airport, two planes struck the North and South Towers, and later, a third crashed into the Pentagon.

Our colleagues, with shock on their faces, led us to a room where we watched replays of the tragic events on TV. That day, we were simply friends—grieving in disbelief over the attack on our country. With all flights grounded, our two-day trip turned into a week-long ordeal.

Just a week before this trip, I had been in the South Tower meeting with investors, only a few floors below where the plane hit. I also visited our sales office on the 34th floor across the street. The windows I once looked through to admire the skyline were blown out, and rubble stood four stories high. For months, I couldn't shed those images nor shake the haunting question: What if I had been there when this happened? My heart still aches for those who were there and the families who lost loved ones.”

As we reflect on those devastating moments and the lives lost, let us hold in our hearts deep sympathy for all who perished and for the families left behind. In honor of their memory, let us keep the candle of remembrance burning brightly, a symbol of the light they once brought to the world. Let’s vow never to forget their lives, their stories, or the spirit of unity that rose from the ashes of that day.

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