9/11/2001

I was in Hawaii for a training programme. There were many New Yorkers with me.

One of the participants, a lady played a telephone recording from her boyfriend to all of us.

The night before, he had proposed to her and she had wanted to call him back to say yes.

The recording was done shortly before Flight 175 crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre.

That recording was a moving message about how much he loved her.

He had wanted to spend his whole life with her.

That tragedy tore a beautiful couple apart.

Forever.

Many more hearts and lives were broken. They would never be the same again.

There were other stories that were shared on that day but it’s just too sad to recount them.

That was the first and the last time I went to Hawaii or what my good friend, Ken Iong would call “paradise.”

Other than the hotel and the airport, I did not see anything else in Hawaii.

I did not have the heart to see any other places.

I took the first available flight back to Singapore.

I was too caught up with grief.

May we who are alive do whatever we can to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again.

For Singaporeans, 9/11should remind us of the people who fought for us so that we can be free.

A reminder to build on their sacrifices, contributions and legacies to make our country a better home.

Peace and goodwill to one and all.

Go4It!

I hope this message will find a place in your heart.

By the way, I have also recorded other reflections.

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