Hundreds of people, veterans, police officers, and community leaders gathered at Kimlau Square in Manhattan’s Chinatown on September 11 to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The event, organized by the New York Chinese-American Veterans Association, was solemn and dignified, as attendees not only mourned the victims and first responders but also emphasized the ongoing health and political challenges brought about by the event. Witnesses recalled the shocking events of that day.
State Assemblyman Lester Chang reminisced about the scenes of escaping on the bridges he witnessed firsthand on that fateful day: the Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, and Williamsburg Bridge were crowded with people covered in dust, helping each other. He stressed that the experience of “good overcoming evil” must be passed down through generations, just like the remembrance of Pearl Harbor and the Vietnam War, ensuring that “9/11” is never forgotten.
Julian Chu, the chairman of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and a former member of the city’s Department of Correction’s emergency service unit, recalled being just a few blocks away from the World Trade Center, witnessing the collapse of the twin towers and people desperate to jump. He pointed out that correction officers, along with police and firefighters, participated in the rescue efforts, but many colleagues suffered from long-term illnesses due to inhaling toxic dust, leading to disabilities and job loss.
Deputy Chief Gengming Zhang of the Fifth Precinct of the city police department remembered being called in while on vacation that day, witnessing rescue workers carrying fallen comrades out of the rubble, a scene etched into his memory. He emphasized, “On that day, the whole city united, and we must always remember that spirit.”
Assemblywoman Grace Lee highlighted that many residents, volunteers, and workers continue to suffer from chronic illnesses due to prolonged exposure to dust and pollution at the World Trade Center site. She criticized some politicians in Washington for obstructing the allocation of funds from the 9/11 Health Fund, resulting in a lack of medical support for victims, and called for bipartisan efforts to address the issue from a humanitarian perspective.
Councilman Christopher Marte lamented that the commemoration of 9/11 is gradually fading from traditional media coverage and stressed the importance of oral history and intergenerational transmission to ensure that history is not forgotten. He emphasized that it is through events like the one held that day and honoring traditions that communities can look back time and time again – at the heroes who went against the tide, the people who bravely rescued others, and the unnamed heroes who stood by to assist in recovery.
In conclusion, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to “never forget” in unison. For many, “9/11” is not just history but personal trauma, health challenges, and community responsibility. Speakers unanimously agreed that only by continuing to commemorate and seek justice can the spirits of the deceased and the affected truly be comforted.