Young Pacific Leaders Alumni Lawrence Jay Alcairo and Simata E La’a Palu reflect at the 9/11 Memorial Pools in New York City.
Among the hustle and bustle of New York City, there is a stillness surrounding the World Trade Center and site of the 9/11 Memorial Museum, as people remember the tragic event that history and the world forever.
A cohort of 12 Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) alumni visited the 9/11 Memorial to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in the series of coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda on United States soil on September 11, 2001, killing 2,977 people.
Terrorists hijacked four commercial planes, crashing two into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon in Virginia, and a fourth into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back, which led to a Global War on Terrorism and had lasting global consequences.
Visiting New York City as part of the YPL Alumni US Roadshow, the alumni were visibly touched as they wandered the Memorial, remembering those who perished in the 9/11 attacks, including people from Guam, Australia, and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Memorial, which also honors first responders and those who gave their lives to help others during the disaster, tells the story of 9/11 through media, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts, presenting visitors with personal stories of loss, recovery, and hope.
Inside the 9/11 Memorial Museum, which remembers the 2,977 people who died in the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001.
Hailing from Tonga, YPL alumna Simata E La’a Palu says after a day of rushing around the busy city, visiting the Memorial was sobering.
“It has been a day of extreme highs and lows – the Memorial is very sombre,” Simata reflects.
With a background working in the tourism sector, Simata says she is very impressed by the disaster tourism efforts.
“I am also impressed at how the city of New York has created the 9/11 Memorial Museum as an opportunity to learn about the event, generate wealth and prosperity, while educating the world of its significance.”
The YPL program is the US Government’s signature initiative to strengthen leadership and networking in the Pacific.
Following New York City, the two-week YPL Alumni Roadshow will continue to Washington DC, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, where the Alumni will not only promote their efforts in the region, but also engage in multilateral policy discussions and engagements to bolster connections and relationships between the US and other Pacific countries.
The talanoa is aimed towards creating a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Pacific region.
Visit the Young Pacific Leaders website for more details on the US Department of State program.
