It took me a long time to comprehend the magnitude of the events of 9/11.

Reaching out in time took me back over 2000 years to a city-state called Athens. For nearly 200 years it lead the rest of the ancient world in many human endeavours including arts, industry, trade, learning, medicine, philosophy & most importantly, democracy.

In short, Athens became the centre of the ancient world's golden age.

During this time Athens built its finest & most well known structure at its citadel, the Acropolis. It came to symbolise Athens itself. This building stuck me as being the most recognisable yet powerful symbol of the first foundations of democracy.

Thousands of years later, the people of New York City were amongst the first to forge the foundations of a new nation, a 'by the people, for the people' constitutional democracy named The United States of America.

Not unlike Athens, New York City has, among other things, through arts, industry, trade, learning, philosophy, architecture, put itself at the centre of the modern world & gateway from the old world to the new.

A modern landmark structure, the World Trade Centre, was built to further enhance New York City's reputation as a beacon of trade based on the enterprise of individuals.

The Acropolis is the foundation upon which the World Trade Centre was built. The twin towers may be gone but not the core beliefs that brought them into being. The B-52 bombers, with the red white & blue of their nation behind them, are symbolic of the resolve of these beliefs.