we die who we are
fresh thoughts on 9/11 from Peggy Noonan, Oct 2001
you should read this article. no, really: this one, you should read.
the article Courage Under Fire is a great example of why i read Peggy Noonan every weekend. she’s an excellent writer and very persuasive in her observations. i submit this column of hers, not only as an example of her master craft, but also in memory of everyone who lost their lives 19 years ago today.
these are her fresh thoughts, weeks after 9/11, about the bravery of the FDNY.
click here to read the full column; excerpts below.
regarding the firemen’s sacrifice
It was daring and brilliant and brave, and the fact of it—the fact that they did it, charging into harm’s way—changed the world we live in. They brought love into a story about hate—for only love will make you enter fire.
regarding the firemen’s character
Brave men do brave things. After Sept. 11 a friend of mine said something that startled me with its simple truth. He said, “Everyone died as the person they were.” I shook my head. He said, “Everyone died who they were. A guy who ran down quicker than everyone and didn’t help anyone—that was him. The guy who ran to get the old lady and was hit by debris—that’s who he was. They all died who they were.”
regarding the firemen’s gift
…they gave us a moment in history that has left us speechless with gratitude and amazement, and maybe relief, too. We still make men like that. We’re still making their kind. Then that must be who we are.
bonus
one of my favorite moments in television history: SNL’s return to live broadcast on 9/29/2001 (watch all the way to the end).