Readers reflect on 9/11 after 25 years

On Sept. 11, 2001, Howard S. Dietch was working in Midtown Manhattan. On that brilliantly sunny morning, he saw American Airlines Flight 11 strike the north tower of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan shortly before 9 a.m. and then United Flight 175 crash into the south tower 17 minutes later.

“Two very tall buildings that took years to build were gone in a flash,” he recalls. “It was the defining moment of my generation.”

Twenty-five years later, Dietch still draws meaning from that day of terror.

“Your life can change in a second,” he says. “Each day is a gift; that is why they call it the present.”

Dietch was one of more than 200 respondents in a Rochester Beacon reader survey conducted this week to mark the 25^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. His sentiment was voiced by a number of others who took part in the survey.

“Life is fragile. Sept. 11 reminds us of that. Cherish your loved ones and respect and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice that day,” wrote Bob Finnerty.

“Each day of life is a gift,” Mary Smith observed. “It is our responsibility to use that gift as something we give to others.”

More than half (55%) of those who took part in the survey say 9/11 has had an enduring impact on the way they live and their outlook on life. (In a recent Gallup poll, 64% of Americans said 9/11 had permanently changed the way they live, compared with 54% one year after the attacks.)

Nearly all of the Beacon survey respondents have a clear memory of when, on 9/11, they first heard of the attacks, which remain the deadliest acts of terror on American soil. In addition to the planes that struck the World Trade Center, American Airlines Flight slammed into the Pentagon and a fourth hijacked plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pa. Less than two hours after they were struck, both of the Twin Towers in New York City had collapsed.

The human toll of the attacks, committed by militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda, was horrific— 2,977 lives lost (excluding the 19 hijackers), mostly civilians but also scores of firefighters, law enforcement officers and military service members. More than 6,000 others were injured.

Asked if they think the U.S. today is safer from terrorism than it was before 9/11, 55% of survey participants replied “less safe,” 26% said “more safe” and 18% responded “no difference.” Those answers are strikingly different from five years ago, when the Beacon asked the same question in a reader survey marking the 20^th anniversary of 9/11. At that time, 43% of respondents said the U.S. was more safe, and only 30% said the nation was less safe.

Most respondents now do not feel personally at risk, however. Fewer than one-third say they are somewhat worried (30%) or very worried (2%) that they or someone in their family will become a victim of terrorism.

The U.S. response to the attacks came on Oct. 7, 2001, when this country—with British support—launched Operation Enduring Freedom against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, which had allowed al-Qaeda to operate from Afghan territory. The invasion of Afghanistan turned into the longest American war—it ended on Aug. 31, 2021, less than two weeks before the 20^th anniversary of 9/11. Today, the Taliban again control the country, and remnants of al-Qaeda reportedly are still there.

In 2003, the U.S. war on terror expanded to Iraq, when the U.S. invaded that country. The goal, President George W. Bush said, was to destroy Iraqi weapons of mass destruction—which were never found—and end Saddam Hussein’s dictatorial rule. The last U.S. combat troops departed Iraq in December 2011. 

Research by the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University determined that more than 6,200 Americans died in Afghanistan during the 20-year war. The Watson Institute also estimated a total of 176,000 people—including nearly 47,000 Afghan civilians—died directly as a result of the war.

In Iraq, the Watson Institute calculated, 8,248 Americans and as many as 209,000 Iraqi civilians died during the war.

The Watson Institute’s tally of total U.S. spending on the post-9/11 wars and homeland security came to $8 trillion.

Asked about the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, most survey respondents said the wars were not worth fighting. Compared to when the Beacon asked the same question in the reader survey five years ago, that sentiment has deepened: In 2021, 60% said the war in Afghanistan was not worth fighting, while 74% believe so today; for Iraq, the results were 77% five years ago and 85% today. The same percentage now think the war in Iran is not worth fighting.

The Beacon reader survey was conducted Sept. 8-9. The following are the complete signed written responses to a question posed in the survey. As a matter of policy, the Beacon does not post unsigned survey responses or comments.

Describe how 9/11 has had an enduring impact on the way you live and your outlook on life.

9/11 focused me on the socio-political karma that America’s history of diplomacy and foreign policy has had on the world. My mind immediately leaped to the question “what did we do to deserve this.” My university classes in that history had worried me ever since the beginnings of our war on North Vietnam. I was actively engaged in stopping it. The history of our engagement with South and Central American nations, the Levant, North Africa and Arabian states is of a piece with Henry Kissinger’s “real politik.” The answer to my question seemed obvious: “Plenty!”
—Dwain Wilder

I became much more aware of terrorism and the threat to our citizens. As a result, I am more tolerant of the surveillance and security measures put in place to protect us. But I am skeptical of our foreign policy decisions, which I believe continue to increase the threats instead of diffusing them.
—David Powe

Life is fragile. Sept. 11 reminds us of that. Cherish your loved ones and respect and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice that day. And always, always, always … lead with peace.
—Bob Finnerty

For the first time in my lifetime, I realized that the US is not immune to terrorism. Every time I board a plane, I recall the fateful flights on 9/11. And I am always in awe of the bravery of so many citizens and first responders.
—Jan Miller

I was part of a group of faculty and students from Nazareth College (now University) who boarded a bus three days after the event, and with funding from the school and benefactors, traveled to NYC as a choir. We stayed two days, walking the streets to firehouses, hospitals and subway stations to provide healing music for the first responders and the dazed people who were walking the streets. It was an experience of the value of Music Therapy for all of us!
—Dr. Barbara Staropoli SSJ, DMA Professor of Music (retired )

When the 9/11 attacks occurred I quickly moved into a worldview motivated by fear. It has taken a lot of internal work to move away from fear-based reactions to a worldview where I try to operate from a place of action grounded in hope and love.
—Marcus Ebenhoe

Most people I know have a direct connection to someone lost on 9/11 or only a person or two separation. Lives were cut short on an average work day and heroes were made. It did seem to bring us closer together, but wish we were not as politically divided now. Every day is a gift to not take for granted, we can do more good.
—Annette Brenner

I believe the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security inevitably led to the creation of the police state we live in today.
—Tom Coakley

I believe that we the Americans still misunderstand the mentality of all those terrorists and their ideologies and consequently handle and deal it too softly. We need to speak their language.
—Michael Wazana

9/11 probably forced me to switch jobs and push through the rest of my career in Rochester navigating all the “military industrial complex” could offer and take a away on a whim. I am gratefully retired as of a few months ago but did not expect to be living in such a divided dysfunctional nation as we are now.
—Jeff Czajka

We’ve always known that life is unpredictable, but even more so in today’s world. Greed, domination and division are hard to avoid. So much of what we daily experience is outside our control. So, let’s concentrate on what we can do and be within our personal sphere of influence. Be kind. We can listen to our inner voice and give that same degree of courtesy to others. Let’s open our heart to others. Slow down. Appreciate the mystery and magic that life gives us wherever we happen to be. Thank you for this opportunity.
—Steven Jarose.

I pay much more attention to international and national news.
—Dan Holland

The world changed that day. I think we lost more rights after that day with the signing of the Patriot Act, the 24/7 news machines that popped up afterwards, the divisive mess that politics descended into. In an insidious way, we are discovering how much of our daily lives and our beliefs and health have been tied to that one event.
—Melissa Olson

As an American who had traveled abroad and was in my 20s when 9/11 took place, I will never forget how it felt to see our country under attack and to see how Americans came together on and after that day. It taught me that everything can change in an instant, and that we, as Americans, can put our politics aside and love each other. I only wish that love and togetherness had endured, for we are part of a larger world where love is desperately needed.
—Tiffany Paine-Cirrincione

The impact is on my outlook on life since 9/11 was a reminder how fragile life is and how important it is to enjoy & contribute during the time you have.
—Howie Jacobson

Grief opened the gates to compassion. A favorite quote from the 10th anniversary.
—Elizabeth Osta

I lived in NJ and worked in midtown Manhattan for a newspaper, so we got insights pretty early. We could see the smoke rising from the towers. A dear friend was working downtown and until I heard from him (phone lines were jammed and cellphones were not ubiquitous) I was beyond worried. A co-worker, with whom I was close, had his young son-in-law killed that day and another colleague’s brother was a firefighter, also killed. In terms of an enduring impact, I am concerned that our foreign policy is creating more people who want to hurt the West. I also believe it has done much to move the world in a rightward direction politically and turned people against Islam.
—Ruth Yanoff

I lived in the Washington, D.C., area during 9/11 and through the DC sniper attacks shortly after. This created a profound sense of constant anxiety and vulnerability. The long-term impact was a criticism of how the US handles conflict with unnecessary wars and wasted resources.
—Molly Snyder

9/11 has made me aware of how tribal the world is and of the urgent need for empathy and understanding of each other.
—Tosh Togo

Each day of life is a gift. It is our responsibility to use that gift as something we give to others.
—Mary Smith

The enduring impact of 9/11 is, for me, a loss of innocence about my country. The initial response to 9/11 by everyday Americans showed the best of America. But these good intentions were exploited by leaders to advance a political and ideological agenda. Countless thousands died because of lies about Saddam and an insincere commitment to support democracy in Afghanistan. The US received massive goodwill in the wake of 9/11 and in the 25 years since, we have shown that our political leaders and oligarchs have responded to this goodwill with a callous thirst for more money and power. All those lives lost on 9/11, the sacrifices so many made… for nothing. Tech billionaires and fascists are the only ones who have flourished since then.
—Aaron Wicks

9/11 created an excuse to steer untold amounts of resources toward security and war making, undermining resources needed for a truly secure future in terms of investments in education, the environment, housing, and other forms of infrastructure. This has been done without accountability. For instance, the Pentagon failed to pass an audit for the 8th consecutive year once again without penalty or public outcry. I believe overall these choices has helped to set the precedent for the current administration’s disdain for law and due process, from arresting and holding people without due process to invading countries to burying the Epstein files. I continue to mourn that our country did not stop to publicly reflect after 9/11 about the reasons for the antipathy toward the US, to take responsibility for choices contributing to that antipathy, and to become more committed to democratic principles. A missed opportunity with terrible consequences for every one of us.
—Kit Miller

I was 51 years old when 9/11 happened. I remember exactly where I was and I felt so helpless. I remembered being on top of the WTC several years before with our son and husband. I somehow knew as soon as I saw the planes hit the WTC they would come down and so many people would die. I cried for several days.
—P. Lago-Avery

That day changed the trajectory of my career and life. While neither I nor any acquaintances were directly impacted, I realized that thousands of people woke up that morning not realizing it was the last day of their life. I decided that day to pursue a job I had long yearned for. It took a few years, but I found that job and have had a satisfying career. It is worth remembering we never know when our time will be up and, to the extent possible, we should try to life each day like it may be our last.
—John Kerekes

Yes. The attacks of September 11 have directly shaped American politics for most of my life, and we are still living with their reverberations. I grew up in the world 9/11 created. By the time I was in high school, I remember watching classmates deploy to Afghanistan and Iraq. The wars, the debates over national security and civil liberties, and the ways Americans came to think about religion, immigration and one another all formed part of the political landscape in which my generation came of age. Twenty-five years later, our politics still bear the marks of 9/11. That is a reality even for those of us who were children when the attacks occurred.
—Austin Albanese

So many security systems have been changed—mostly related to air travel. Flying has become a hassle.
—Margaret Peet

Feel more grateful for family & friends.
—Sue Segelman

Thank you for asking! I know I am more watchful of my surroundings, especially when I am traveling through airports. I try to maintain a positive view of life, which is sometimes difficult to do when there are many unstable situations and individuals in the world. I remain hopeful knowing that God is with us, but we need to act responsibly and lovingly. Peace and courage.
—Mike Bausch

I lost an emotional layer of safety, of insulation from the outside world that day. It was the kind of feeling you almost don’t know you have. It has never come back. The world changed that day, and not just for Americans.
—Michael Anderson Stone

On the evening of September 10, 2002, I thought of all the lives that, a year earlier, had been packing for trips, had what would be their last dinner with family or friends, were planning work for the next day … Those lives would be snuffed out 12 hours later. It emphasized how much to appreciate each day, each moment, each interaction we have; to not hang on to anger, but to let it go; to not dwell, but to move on; to be thankful for what you have.
—Helene Snihur

It has changed how, when, and where I travel to.
—Arnie Rothschild

I was working in Midtown NYC on 9/11 and saw the planes hit the towers and they went down very quickly . Two very tall buildings that took years to build were gone in a flash. It was the defining moment of my generation. After that the world was different. Flying changed forever and so many innocent souls lost their lives. Many jobs dissappeared in the aftermath and the lines at the job fairs held soon afterward were extremely long. The pictures of the missing were posted everywhere. The smoke lasted for days afterward. Your life can change in a second. For a few days afterward all of America seemed united but that did not last long. Each day is a gift; that is why they call it the present.
—Howard S. Dietch

The fall of the Berlin Wall and the dawn of the internet began a period of optimism that humanity could exist in a state of peace and progress. 9/11 slammed the door closed on that period and put humanity back in a state of war of all against all. I remain hopeful that sometime again in my life I’ll experience another period like the 90’s when it felt like we could transcend our human nature, and that at that time, it will last.
—Tom Mucha, Pittsford

Paul Ericson is Rochester Beacon executive editor. Beacon contributing writer and data journalist Jacob Schermerhorn created the data visualization.

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