My brother in law, Jim Small, who was living and working in Europe at the time sent this to us right after 9/11. It was very moving then and still is today. I thought I would share it again.
Dear friends and family,
I know that we’ve all been affected by this past week’s tragic events in
New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. While most of you are physically
closer to these events than I am right now, I think that it’s very
insightful if I share with you what I witnessed in Europe yesterday.
On the 14th of September 2001, the free world stood as one.
At exactly 11AM GMT (12PM CET) on Friday the 14th of September, the people
of the European Union (15 countries with a population similar to that of
the entire United States of America) observed a perfectly synchronized 3
minutes of silence. A similar response was reported in 28 additional
countries.
Being a part of this event was not only overwhelming, moving, and touching,
but also shockingly powerful. Bustling streets became as frozen as a photo
as commuters, bicyclists, and even vehicles stopped – completely – for 180
seconds. Office workers turned off desk phones, mobile phones, and stopped
the constant hammering away at their keyboards to sit, stand, or kneel in
utter silence. Stock markets (where fortunes can be made and lost in
seconds) stopped completely. No, not the market itself, but rather all of
its traders, market makers and transaction processing. Utter silence.
European Heads of State stood powerfully silent and still as they were
blanketed by the US Ambassadors to their countries. The 3 minutes of
silence was observed at Embassies, Churches, Government offices,
Cathedrals, Synagogues, and tourists attractions alike. Many television
channels observed the 3 minutes by stopping all transmissions, except for a
blank screen. Radio stations similarly were eerily silent.
My immediate reaction after taking part in this powerful and moving action
was a sense of amazement and a powerful resolve of the world to mourn the
dead and vow to rid the world of these type of devastating acts.
Additionally, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace in London was
altered for the first time in over 200 years, as the Queen ordered that the
US National Anthem was to be played prior to the standard ceremony.
Meanwhile, throughout the European Union flags are at half mast. Not just
US flags, but ALL flags.
Yes, yesterday I watched the world stop.
_______________________________________________
James R. Small
Accenture
