Matthew Climo, a retired colonel, recalls September 11, 2001, the day a hijacked plane struck the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense in Arlington, Virginia. He was sitting at his desk in the Pentagon that day and, despite the chaos, refused to leave his workplace.
Feelings of Humiliation and Darkness After the Attack
Climo writes candidly and emotionally in his notes about his feelings that day. He writes, "I had acted all day as a good soldier: tough, determined, unemotional, logical, and without sentiment." But when he returned home, a wave of emotions overcame him. He speaks of sorrow for the lost lives, but there was another feeling within him: humiliation.
He notes the national weakness, saying, "We had been humiliated as a nation. The fighting force of which I was a part was powerless and could not protect its fellow citizens." This feeling was so deep that he says, "The darkness I felt matched the darkness inside my home when I opened the door."
Remembrance of Trauma and the Necessity of Unity
The September 11 incident was not only a terrorist attack but also a turning point in U.S. history. Climo, as one of the individuals present at the Pentagon that day, understands well how this event led to significant changes in America's security and social policies. He recalls that this incident acted not only as a crisis but also as a call for national unity.
In his notes, Climo emphasizes that although this event still serves as a reminder of pain and suffering, it can also act as a reminder for solidarity and efforts to improve society. He reminds future generations that they must learn from this history and remember that in the face of threats, only through unity and empathy can they stand firm.
