As Americans remember the nine-eleven attacks today, many people visited the memorial on the Statehouse lawn. Nearly 3 thousand flags were planted in the shape of the twin towers and a pentagon in the middle. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow talked to some of the visitors to hear their stories in tribute of the anniversary.
Donahue: “Pat Donahue from Obetz, Ohio. I saw the thing on the news this morning that it was out here again I’ve been here before for this. It’s always nice to come out here for this and it reminds you of what happened and how important it was that America came together than it’s so important right now since we’re facing turmoil again and it’s important that we stick together and this reminds people what we lost then and what other people are capable of doing to us. We have to never forget and this is a reminder when you look at all those flags remember all those people that died that’s a good reminder.”
Grove: “I’m Ron Grove I’m from Columbus, Ohio. I remember it all happening and I just don’t think we should ever forget it. We’ve already started to and unfortunately there are generations alive today who don’t remember it and don’t remember the pain of what occurred that day something needs to be done about that they need to understand what happened and I think honoring it every day makes a difference and I think the opportunity to see how much of America really does remember it and how they feel about it. I visited every site that the attacks occurred at and—sorry—it was an awful day.”
Edwards: “Corry Edwards—Columbus. I was in the Navy I was on the USS Carl Vinson back in 2001 when the planes hit. I saw the flags I saw the street cut off I asked someone what was going on and they said it was the 9/11 memorial I figured I’d stop by I’ve had friends that served—lost their lives I thought I’d at least stop by pay some respects—take some pictures. 9/11 really brought us together as a country and good or bad all the actions that happened after that you need to remember what happened so we don’t let it happen again.”
Rose-Ramos: “La’Marcus Rose-Ramos—Brooklyn, New York. I’m just coming down here to give remembrance to 9/11 and definitely for my auntie that was in the tragedy. She was in the towers and I was at school that day and it still goes through my head each and every day seeing the smoke in the clouds and the planes just crashing into the Twin Towers it was just it was crazy—it was crazy. Like two or three miles away from my school and at first we thought it was a movie and we came outside seen the smoke and come to find out it wasn’t a movie it was reality—and it was scary and it was sad and it was hurtful that day.”
Phillips: “I’m Lametra Phillips. I actually got family down there in New York—it didn’t happen to any of my family cause they weren’t around at that spot but I usually visit down there all the time and I’m just thankful that I wasn’t there at that time. It’s really sad—a lot of people come up here and take pictures and they remember what happened that day and it’s a lot of people that’s dead right now that they want back and they can’t get them back.”
