25 volksliederen na 9/11
Op 9/11 zelf werd vlucht 418 van Chicago naar Providence, Rhode Island als allerlaatste passagiersvliegtuig veilig aan de grond gezet. Eenmaal uit het vliegtuig en beduusd van de klap begonnen de passagiers spontaan het volkslied te zingen op het vliegveld van Grand Rapids, Michigan.
De maker van deze video was aan boord en schreef over de gebeurtenis: On tuesday morning September 11, 2001 we were flying from Chicago to Providence Rhode Island on Southwest flight 418. While in flight we were informed of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center taking place at that very moment.
As it turned out ours was the last flight accounted for as the tragic events of that day unfolded. Our flight was diverted & landed safely in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In the midst of massive confusion as to what happened next, we were "saved" when our SW pilot fronted the bill for all of us SW passengers to catch a train to Midway Field in Chicago. This pilot actually put everyone's Amtrak ticket on his personal credit card!
SW had been attempting to re-establish their connections but when we arrived at MDW there was massive confusion & frustration. Rumors spread that bombs were planted at airports. No planes were flying. Thousands were stranded, tired & confused.
Suddenly the crowd broke out singing The Star Spangled Banner! A wave of calm, courage & profound sense of coming together enveloped us then & continues even now.
In retrospect, this was a pivotal moment in which the people of America & the people of the world came together! We are America! We are the World! We will survive & we will thrive!
