The emphasis of Ground Zero is that when tragedy strikes a nation, everyone is connected in some way, shape, or form. Whether you personally lost someone, or the feeling of emptiness in place of what once was, Americans felt connected after the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001. Burne illustrates the devastation many Americans faced when visiting the actual site of Ground Zero.
Suzanne Burne fought her way to get a ticket to finally see for herself what lies beneath those sacred grounds. She finds herself to not only see the pit, but an access ramp where fire fighters stood honoring the bodies of those whom they lost. "Gathered along the ramp were firefighters in their black helmets and black coats. Slowly they lined up, and it became clear that this was an honor guard, that someones remains were being carried up the ramp toward the open door of an ambulance." Page 164.
She then saw fellow Americans stand up either out of respect or for their own benefits to see. "Everyone in the dining room stopped eating. Several people stood up whether of respect or to see better, I don't know. For a moment, everything paused." Page 164. This realization makes everyone enduring the death of a fallen firefighters unite as Americans. We as Americans are tied together with our respect and empathy for our own people.
This essay portrayed the true empathy Americans felt after the 9/11 attacks. After reading, I am inspired to go to Ground Zero to really feel the mood and connection of these sacred grounds. Seeing the devistation on television is heartbreaking, but walking and seeing those same grounds as those who have fallen right before my eyes would be surreal. The imagery and personal connection to every person in America is what makes this essay famous.
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