Most of us have sat through a pointless TV sitcom. Afterward, we utter a familiar complaint …
“There goes 30 minutes of my life I’ll never get back.”
Our time has been wasted. Of course, the fault lies not with shows’ producers, directors, actors or network. The blame falls on us for not getting up and doing something worthwhile.
A summertime journey to New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pa., deepened my appreciation for the preciousness of time. Minutes mattered in each place on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Yes, the placement of hands on the clock are etched into memories there — 8:46 and 9:03, when the Twin Towers in New York were struck by hijacked commercial airliners, and 9:59 and 10:28, when the two skyscrapers collapsed; 9:37, when a third terrorist-captured plane hit the Pentagon in Washington; and 10:03, when a fourth, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field just north of Shanksville. The 2,977 innocent lives lost because of those instances deserve honor and remembrance.
But the minutes and seconds surrounding those clock readings pack an important lesson, too.
Heroism, courage and heartfelt emotion filled each tick of the second-hand in those places. In New York, firefighters raced into the burning towers, hurrying to rescue the injured, dying and trapped people inside the World Trade Center. Many escaped, thanks to the bravery shown by first-responders in the 102 minutes that passed between the first crash and the final tower collapse. Three-hundred and 43 FDNY firefighters died, trying to spare the futures — those hours yet unrealized — of others.
Their sacrifices remain dear to New Yorkers. A decade later, voices still pause while recalling the rescuers’ gesture.
On 9/11, time could not be squandered. A pastor I met in Lower Manhattan recounted another poignant example. Father Kevin Madigan leads St. Peter’s Church, which faces the World Trade Center. Madigan himself narrowly dodged death, having pointed a group of police officers and a fellow priest toward safety in a nearby subway tunnel as the South Tower began to implode. After patiently retelling his 9/11 experiences in a July interview in the lobby of the church office, the pastor handed me an essay he’d written about the day and its impact.
I read his reflections as my wife, daughter and I walked from St. Peter’s toward the construction site of the new World Trade Center and the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum. In his reflections, Madigan noted the city’s “profound sense of coming together” to find survivors and support the families of the missing immediately afterward. “In that light, one thing that should not go without mention were the final phone calls of those trapped in the towers to their family members,” Father Madigan wrote. “Many of these calls were left on voicemail, so we have a record of the last words of those who realized they were about to die. And to a one, they consist of a single theme — telling their wives, husbands, lovers, parents, children, friends simply, ‘Goodbye,’ that they loved them and to remember them.”
To read those words — while walking beside my own loved ones, through that hallowed spot — moved me. I felt fortunate, blessed.
As the three of us stood inside a country chapel 300 miles away on another leg of our July trek, I realized just how meaningful our time can be.
Ed Root carefully explained how minutes mattered aboard Flight 93 on 9/11. Thirty-three passengers, two pilots and five flight attendants assumed this Boeing 757 would fly from Newark, N.J., to San Francisco, as scheduled. After all, the skies were gorgeous blue, “severe clear” in aviation lingo. But four people who boarded that aircraft were actually among 19 al-Qaida terrorists on a suicide mission to hijack fully fueled planes and crash them into symbolic American landmarks. Aside from a few people traveling together, the other passengers sat down as strangers, just as many of us do on work trips or vacations. They were businessmen and women, college students and retirees. The crew included Lorraine Bay, a senior flight attendant and Root’s first-cousin, who “was like the big sister I never had.”
Forty-six minutes after takeoff, the terrorists stood, wrapped red bandanas around their heads, stormed the cockpit, killed or incapacitated the pilots and assumed the controls.
Moments later, through airphone and cellphone calls to loved ones and 911 and airline operators, the attendants and passengers learned of the other crashes in New York and Washington. They realized Flight 93, now turned back east, was being aimed toward similar targets — most likely, the U.S. Capitol, authorities learned later.
In their calls, they said I-love-you’s to family and friends. They prayed. Then they took a vote — sit, as the hijackers ordered, or retaliate? With time running out, they chose the latter.
“These people, in a half an hour, got information, sat down together, discussed it, shared information, decided to act and then acted. In a half an hour,” Root said inside the Flight 93 Memorial Chapel near Shanksville. “We all have to think, ‘What would I have done if I was there?’”
Father Al Mascherino wrestled with that question himself after 9/11. The heroic decision to fight back inspired Mascherino, a 67-year-old Catholic priest who lives near Shanksville, to renovate an empty church and create the Flight 93 Memorial Chapel, just a couple miles from the site of the crash. The quick action by the passengers and crew members stopped the hijackers from fulfilling their twisted goal of hitting the Capitol.
Just a handful of minutes elapsed from the moment when passenger Todd Beamer said, “Are you guys ready? OK. Let’s roll,” until the hijackers — about to be overtaken — crashed the jet in that open Pennsylvania field. “That’s what impressed me,” Mascherino said in a voice roughened through three victories over cancer.
“And I thought of all the times in my life I’d gone into a particularly difficult sequence of things that cost a lot of time, like months and even years of my life — wasted,” Father Al continued. “When I realized that in four minutes flat, they were able to decide what they wanted to do, and in four minutes, they changed the destiny of the world, I said, ‘I’m not wasting any more time,’ and I never have since then.”
As we reflect on 9/11 today, each of us should remember who the trapped and captive people called that day, what they said and what they did.
In just a few minutes.
Mark Bennett can be reached at (812) 231-4377 or mark.bennett@tribstar.com.
Multimedia
Related Videos
Related Photos
-
Father Kevin Madigan, pastor of St. Peter's Church in New York City. Father Madigan's church is adjacent to the World Trade Center site.
-
Loved one: Ed Root stands beside a monument to the crew members of United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed just a couple miles away near Shanksville, Pa. The stone sits behind the Flight 93 Memorial Chapel and features images of the pilot, first officer and five flight attendants, including Root's first-cousin Lorraine Bay.
-
Tribute: Bishop Alphonse Mascherino, known as "Father Al," explains a floral display dedicated to the passengers and crew aboard United Airlines Flight 93. Mascherino raised funds to renovate and maintain the Flight 93 Memorial Chapel near the site of the plane's crash just north of Shanksville, Pa., on 9/11.
-
Mark Bennett
Discussion
MARK BENNETT: Value of every minute deeply realized on 9/11 (related VIDEO)
- Multimedia
-
-
VIDEO: Apple unveils new MacBook Air with improved battery life
At Apple's WWDC, the company shows off its new line of MacBook Air laptops with faster processors and improved battery life. The new models are available in 11-inch and 13-inch dimensions, ranging in price from $999 to $1,299.
-
VIDEO: SPPRAK segment airs on NBC News
About 9 million national TV viewers got a very positive image of Terre Haute Monday night, thanks to a tiny not-for-profit group and the Vigo County School Corp.
-
VIDEO: Wabash Valley residents start flood cleanup process
Several Wabash Valley counties are assessing damage as a result of flooding along the Wabash River, Eel River and Big Walnut Creek.
-
VIDEO: Happy Birthday Paul Dresser
The banks of the swollen Wabash River weren’t so far away Monday as several people gathered at the Paul Dresser Home in Fairbanks Park to celebrate what would have been the celebrated songwriter’s 155th birthday.
-
VIDEO: Massive explosion at fertilizer plant rocks Texas town
An explosion at a fertilizer plant in the town of West, Texas, on Wednesday night has flattened buildings and injured dozens, according to local officials.
-
VIDEO: ISU's Brown delivers winning block
Two years ago, Indiana State knocked Evansville out of the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball tournament via a last-second shot. On Friday? It was a last-second swat.
-
VIDEO: No Arop, no energy, no victory for Sycamores
Indiana State’s men’s basketball team wanted to use its last home game of the season Wednesday as a springboard to success in next week’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament.
-
VIDEO: ISU crashes at Missouri State
Indiana State earned the pole position in the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball standings last weekend and had its first chance to lead a lap.
But at JQH Arena on Tuesday, the Sycamores crashed in the first turn.
Missouri State afforded ISU the respect it earned as conference leaders with an inspired effort. The Bears’ defense had ISU on its heels for the majority of the contest, and a late comeback effort by the Sycamores fell short in a 67-65 loss. -
VIDEO: Sycamore stress test: ISU survives Southern Illinois
The Sycamores started flat – down by 12 four-minutes-into-the-game level of flat – and needed some heroes to infuse the energy needed to keep their Missouri Valley Conference title hopes alive.
Comes the hour, came Khristian Smith. Later, it was R.J. Mahurin. And then, on ISU’s last possession, who else but Jake Odum?
All three played a role in a 66-65 win for ISU.
-
VIDEO: Indiana State gets 1,400th win in school history, Odum tops 1,000 career points in rout of No. 16 Creighton
The realistic hope for Indiana State’s men’s basketball team going into its game against No. 16 Creighton was to get a win — by whatever method or whatever margin necessary — and get itself back into the Missouri Valley Conference race.
-
VIDEO: ISU knocks off No. 15 Wichita State
After a nonconference season in which unfancied Indiana State defeated Miami and Mississippi, many observers stood on the sideline waiting for the Sycamores to get a similar victory in Missouri Valley Conference play before they saw fit to declare them a legitimate MVC title threat.
The wait is over.
-
VIDEO: Sycamores' aggressive rebounding plays big part in pulling away from SIU
Indiana State's M-and-M combination continued to carry the Sycamores' women's basketball team Thursday night in Hulman Center.
The duo of Anna Munn and Racheal Mahan combined for 30 points, helping ISU improve to 11-5 overall and 3-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 72-57 victory against Southern Illinois. -
VIDEO: Workmanlike Sycamores drop Bradley 68-53
The intricacies of help defense aren’t going to show up on any highlight shows.
But far as Indiana State’s men’s basketball team is concerned, help defense is as pretty as any breakaway dunk or a crowd-pleasing blocked shot. -
VIDEOS: ISU's Odum breaks Miami in OT
Indiana State’s men’s basketball team never put its hammer away against Miami in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic on Tuesday.
The Sycamores kept pounding at the rock. Figuratively, yes. But literally too as ISU’s faced an imposing Hurricanes’ front line.
The rock cracked in the last minute. And it broke in overtime.
Jake Odum converted a leaner in the lane with 0.8 left as ISU defeated Miami 57-55 in overtime to take third place in the Diamond Head Classic.
-
VIDEO: ISU’s upset bid slips through turnover-prone fingers
Indiana State point guard Jake Odum cut a forlorn figure outside the Sycamores’ locker room after a 62-55 loss to No. 18 San Diego State in men’s basketball Sunday evening.
-
VIDEOS: Indiana State fights past Ole Miss in overtime at Hawaii
Hakaka … it’s the Hawaiian word for “fight.”
Not unlike a Hawaiian volcano roaring to life, Indiana State’s men’s basketball team was able to summon its inner Hakaka on Saturday against Mississippi in the opening game of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. -
VIDEOS: Sycamores have work cut out for them at Diamond Head Classic
All you have to do is take one look at Indiana State’s team hotel to realize ISU’s participation in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic is a tad different from your average road trip.
-
VIDEO: So far, so good for Sycamores
Perhaps the most important conversation new Indiana State football coach Mike Sanford had on Monday wasn’t with the administration, the alumni and the assembled media at his introductory press conference, but a talk that came after it.
-
SLIDESHOW: Flash Back: 2012 in Pictures
Tribune-Star photographers Joseph C. Garza, Jim Avelis and Bob Poynter showcase their favorite work of 2012.
-
VIDEO: ISU women add athleticism, experience with 2013 recruiting class
As a team stocked full of underclassmen continues to grow and gain some NCAA Division I women’s basketball seasoning, those players will blend with four recruits who will likely be ready to make a big impact for coach Teri Moren in 2013-14.
Sullivan native Rhagen Smith, daughter of former Sycamore basketball standout Maria (Stockberger) Smith, will be the only true freshman of the four. The 6-foot-2 forward is joined by 5-1 junior-college point guard Ricquia Jones, junior-college wing Jasmine Grier and Kansas State transfer Stephanie Wittman. -
VIDEO: Indiana State University police officer leads rescue of student from burning car
On a typical day, Indiana State University police officer Chris Heleine might deal with theft reports, well-being checks or property damage accidents.
But Wednesday was not a typical day. -
SLIDESHOW: Veterans Day Parade 2012
Terre Haute’s annual Veterans Day parade down Wabash Avenue on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, concluded with an 11:11 a.m. post-parade ceremony and 21-gun salute at the VFW Post 972 at 12th and Mulberry streets.
-
SLIDESHOW: General Election 2012
Photos by Tribune-Star photographers Bob Poynter, Joe Garza and Jim Avelis. Check back for more photos.
-
SLIDESHOW: Sandy delivers snow to East
-
VIDEO: Sandy brings more snow to Appalachian Mountains
Snow continues to fall in the Appalachian Mountains thanks to superstorm Sandy, leaving an estimated 150,000 people without power.
-
VIDEO: Mammoth storm Sandy plunges NYC into darkness
Much of New York was plunged into darkness Monday by a superstorm that overflowed the city's historic waterfront, flooded the financial district and subway tunnels and cut power to hundreds of thousands of people.
-
SLIDESHOW: Hurricane Sandy brings wind, water
Damaging winds and storm surges from Hurricane Sandy began affecting Massachusetts on Monday.
-
VIDEO: Shakin’ Things Up
Trucks rumbling through the city streets have university officials hoping for good vibrations this weekend.
-
VIDEO: Famous Hoosier horror legend to appear at Linton haunted house
Sammy Terry, the spooktacular entertainer who captivated Hoosier television viewers every weekend in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, is ready for some new “frightmares” — and his search is returning him to Linton.
-
SLIDESHOW: This year's 15 hottest toys
Is it too early to start your holiday shopping? Not according to Toys R Us, which just released its "Hot Toy List" for 2012. Check out the top 15 toys that made the list. Find all 50 at toysrus.com/hottoys.
- More Multimedia Headlines
-
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: Massive Protests Fill Brazilian Streets
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Raw: NASCAR Driver Jason Leffler Dies in Wreck
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Failed Cuba-to-Florida Swimmer Won't Try Again
Tiger on Sergio: 'It's Time to Move On'
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
Raw: Marines Land Osprey on Japanese Ship
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Obama Welcomes WNBA Champions to White House
Today in History June 19
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Rihanna Hits Fan With Microphone During UK Concert
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Miami Heat Wins in Overtime
Fists, chairs fly in restaurant brawl
Journalist Michael Hastings Dies in Fiery Hollywood Crash
Hairy Leg Stockings Aim to Deflect Male Attention
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
