September 11, 2001, Remembered

Commemoration of September 11, 2001, English Reformed Church of Amsterdam, Thursday, September 11, 2008, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

Remarks by Michele Hendrikse Du Bois, AWCA President

On September 11, 2001 I lived in Washington State, the far northwest corner of the United States.  And while I was married to a European and travelled to Europe frequently, I quickly found I was really quite isolated.  I watched in horror as the events of the day unfolded, but felt oddly removed from the tragedy.  I did not know anyone in New York City, DC or Pennsylvania.  I learned that did not know anyone on any of the planes on that fateful day.  In fact, as far as I know, I didn’t even know anyone who knew anyone who was in any of those places.

While at the time, I did not have any direct connection with the events of 9/11 or the people whose lives were taken or shattered that day, September 11 did change my life, as it did every other American around the world.  I lost the real, or imagined, security of being an American.  Of being safe on American soil and, as long as I didn’t venture anyplace too volatile, around the world, certainly in Western Europe where I travelled the most.  I lost the freedom to do what I enjoy the most – travel - without thinking first about safety.
My world has expanded since 9/11.  I moved to the Netherlands in 2005 and got involved with the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas and locally with the American Women’s Club of Amsterdam.  I have made many wonderful friends through these organizations.  And I have met people who did have family or friends that were killed that day.  I have met people who lived or worked nearby the Twin Towers and experienced the living nightmare first hand.  My world is no longer as isolated but it still bears scars from that unthinkable day.

However, while we must never forget, we must also move forward. 
I chose, like the women I have met, to not allow terrorism to keep me from experiencing different cultures and sharing my American culture with other people. I chose to continue to spread a positive image of America with the world rather than cower at home and allow terrorists to guide my life.

I am so proud of the many Americans I have met here and around the world, who continue to thrive in their adopted countries.  They travel extensively, live integrated with different nationalities, and embody the American value of freedom.

That is fundamentally what we, Americans, are about - Freedom.

The freedom to speak our thoughts, to share our ideas, to choose our religion – or no religion, to live freely wherever we choose and with whomever we choose, to travel and share our experiences and lives with others and to learn from different cultures around the world.

This sharing of cultures will hopefully create a greater understanding and acceptance of our differences, highlight our similarities and bring us all closer together creating a safer, kinder world.