CLICKS TONIGHT, REMEMBERING 9/11 -- >> TONIGHT, REMEMBERING 9/11.

>> I SAW MY OWN DAUGHTER.

>> 20 YEARS LATER, FAMILY STILL MOURNS THEIR LOSS AND THEY STILL FIGHT FOR JUSTICE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PEOPLE WHO PLANNED THIS AND FINANCE THIS.

I LOST MY PRECIOUS GIRL.

>> TWO DECADES LATER, THE COST OF WAR ON THE BATTLEFIELD.

>> EVEN IN 2006, LOOKING AT THE AMOUNT OF TROOPS WHO HAD GONE OVER THERE -- I AM NOT A GAMBLING PERSON, BUT MY ODDS WERE PRETTY GOOD THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE MY SON.

>> AND ON THOSE WHO CAME HOME.

>> I CLOSE MY EYES AND ENVISION WHAT I HAVE DONE OVER THERE.

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THIS EDITION RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

PAMELA: TONIGHT WE REMEMBER AND REFLECT ON THE DAY THAT AMERICA CHANGED FOREVER.

WE BEGIN WITH THOSE THAT WE LOST, NEARLY 3000 AMERICANS DIED IN THE TERRORIST ATTACKS.

MANY HAD -- MANY WERE FROM RHODE ISLAND.

IF I'D ATTENDED ON THE PLANE THAT HIT THE SECOND TOWER.

HER FATHER WAS AN ATTORNEY FOR THE POLICE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION.

HE WAS ATTENDING A MEETING FOR THE GROUP.

>> WE WERE SITTING THERE IN THE MEETING AND SOMEBODY SAID, JUST GOT WORD THAT A PLANE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING IN NEW YORK.

SO THEY CHANGED THE CHANNEL.

THEY SHOWED THE BUILDING BURNING , AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, A SECOND GROUP -- I WAS SITTING THERE, WATCHING THE SECOND PLANE, 175 COME IN AND HIT THE SECOND BUILDING.

>> LIKE MILLIONS ACROSS THE NATION, HE WATCHED THE MOMENT ON LIVE TELEVISION.

HE WAS UNAWARE THAT HIS OWN DAUGHTER WAS ON BOARD.

>> I GOT A CALL FROM SOMEBODY AND HE SAID, I THINK THAT AMY MIGHT BE ON THAT PLANE.

>> HE DROVE HOME AND HE AND HIS FAMILY WAITED.

THE NEWS THAT THEY FEARED THE MOST ARRIVED.

>> THEY ARRIVED TO TELL US, TO CONFIRM THE FACT THAT IT WAS AMY'S PLANE.

WE WERE ALL IN ABSOLUTE SHOCK.

>> AMY WAS JUST 28 YEARS OLD.

SHE WAS NOT SCHEDULED TO WORK ON 9/11, BUT HAD OFFERED TO FILL IN FOR ANOTHER CREWMEMBER.

>> OH MY GOD.

>> THEY HIJACKED FLIGHT 175 AND THEY FLEW INTO THE SECOND TOWER.

>> I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT AMY WAS RIGHT THERE, ACCOMPANYING HER PASSENGERS.

GOD FORBID -- I CANNOT THINK ABOUT WHETHER SHE KNEW ABOUT -- THAT THE PLANE WAS GOING TO CRASH.

I JUST HAVE TO PUT THAT OUT OF MY MIND.

>> HE KEEPS A SCRAPBOOK THAT AMY STARTED.

SHE STARRED IN LOCAL AND SCHOOL PLAYS, VOLUNTEERED FOR CHARITY, WON ACADEMIC AWARDS.

>> SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL IN MANY WAYS.

HER BEING A FLIGHT ATTENDANT WAS ONLY PART OF HER LIFE.

>> ARE PLANS INCLUDED IN AND AT LEAST FOUR CHILDREN.

THE LOSS OF ALL OF THAT REMAINS A GREAT SOURCE OF SORROW FOR HER FATHER.

>> I HAVE A LOT OF ANGER AND BITTERNESS ABOUT IT.

>> HE ALSO WAITS FOR JUSTICE AS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HOLDS BUT DOES NOT PROSECUTE THE LEGEND CONSPIRATORS.

>> IT HAS BEEN 20 YEARS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN BROUGHT TO TRIAL.

THESE HEARINGS ARE ONGOING.

THEY ARE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, LAWYERS PAID FOR BY THE U.S. TAXPAYERS.

THEY FILED MOTION AFTER MOTION TO DELAY THE HEARING.

>> THEY SAY, INCLUDING THE FIVE ALLEGED TO HAVE PLANNED THE ATTACKS IS MORE THAN $6 BILLION.

QUESTIONS REMAIN.

>> WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND FAMILIES LIKE MYSELF, WE WANT TO KNOW.

>> THEY HAVE NOT PROVEN DIRECT INVOLVEMENT.

THEY CONTINUED TO FIGHT FOR ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED AND REDACTED DOCUMENTS THAT THEY BELIEVE WILL REVEAL COMPLICITY.

>> WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT SAUDI ARABIA WAS BEHIND THIS.

WHEN THE COMMISSION -- WHEN THE SENATE AND HOUSE COMMISSION ISSUED THEIR REPORT, THERE IS A WHOLE SECTION IN THAT REPORT, HAVING TO DO WITH SAUDI ARABIA'S INVOLVEMENT THAT HAS BEEN REDACTED.

ABSOLUTELY.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE INCLUDING SENATOR SCHUMER HAVE BEEN REQUESTING THE RELEASE OF THE REPORT.

>> HE JOINED IN A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT.

IT HAS GONE ON FOR MORE THAN SIX YEARS.

SHE ADMITS THAT EVEN IF THERE LAWSUIT IS SUCCESSFUL, NOTHING CAN EVER ERASE THE GRIEF THAT HE LIVES WITH EVERY DAY.

>> MAY BE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO PLANNED THIS AND FINANCE THIS -- BUT THAT IS NOT REALLY THAT MUCH.

WHAT MORE COULD I WANT?

I LOST MY PRECIOUS GIRL.

>> THERE IS A SMALL PARK WHERE FRIENDS HAVE PLACED A MEMORIAL TO AMY GERRIT.

>> IN LIFE, AS IN FLYING, FORGET THE BAGGAGE AND ALWAYS TRAVEL LIGHT.

AMY AND I USED TO TRAVEL.

I WOULD COME DOWNSTAIRS WITH A BAG PACKED.

SHE WOULD SAY, DAD, WE ARE GOING FOR TWO DAYS.

YOU HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF.

ALWAYS TRAVEL LIGHT.

THAT STUCK WITH ME.

TRYING TO REMOVE THE BAGGAGE FROM OUR LIVES.

WE SHOULD BE BETTER PEOPLE FOR IT.

>> THEY MAY FINALLY SEE THE FULFILLMENT OF ONE OF THEIR DEMANDS MADE OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.

LAST WEEK, PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO HAVE THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT DECLASSIFY AND RELEASE DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE INVESTIGATION OF 9/11.

A FAVORED DISCLOSURE, WRITING THAT MATERIALS SHOULD NOT STAY SECRET, IF THERE WAS A NEED FOR IT TO REMAIN CLASSIFIED.

DOCUMENTS COULD SHED LIGHT ON DIRECT INVOLVEMENT ON THE ATTACKS.

>> IN THE WAKE OF TERRORIST ATTACKS, THEY ENTERED INTO WAR WITH AFGHANISTAN AND LATER, IRAQ.

NOT LONG AFTER PRESIDENT BIDEN ORDERED AMERICAN TROOPS TO WITHDRAW, THE TALIBAN QUICKLY TOOK CONTROL OF THE COUNTRY.

SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, AN ENEMY OF THE TALIBAN CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR KILLING MORE THAN 170 PEOPLE AT THE KABUL AIRPORT, INCLUDING 14 -- 15 U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS.

THE SWIFT TO COVER IS A PAINFUL MILESTONE.

THE ANNIVERSARY HAS ALSO BEEN A REFLECTIVE TIME FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY THINK ABOUT HOW THE ATTACKS ALTERED THE COURSE OF THEIR LIVES.

>> I THINK THE AMERICAN PUBLIC DOES NOT REALIZE THAT THE FREEDOMS THAT THEY ENJOY EVERY DAY -- THAT THERE IS A COST.

MY SON'S LIFE WAS THAT COST.

>> A CABINET OF MEMORABILIA THAT SHE HAS GATHERED OVER THE YEARS.

THE OLDEST OF TWO BOYS.

>> HE WOULD EAT DINNER WITH ONE KNEE ON THE CHAIR AND ONE ON THE GROUND.

HE WAS READY TO TAKE OFF.

>> HE GRADUATED A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THE ATTACKS ON SEPTEMBER 11.

SHORTLY AFTER HE STARTED COLLEGE , HE REALIZED HE DID NOT WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL.

HE TOLD HIS MOM HE WANTED TO JOIN THE VARIANCE.

>> I SAID, OK, IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, WE SUPPORT IT.

>> HE WENT ON HIS FIRST DEPLOYMENT.

LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER HE RETURNED HOME, HE WAS SENT BACK TO IRAQ.

>> I DID NOT LISTEN TO THE NEWS VERY OFTEN BECAUSE I JUST DID NOT WANT -- EVERY TIME I HEARD THAT A TROOPER OR SOLDIER WAS KILLED, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE BRIAN.

>> STANDING AT HER FRONT DOOR WERE TWO MARINES WITH THE NEWS THAT SHE HAD BEEN DREADING.

SERGEANT BRIAN HAD BEEN KILLED.

HE WAS 22 YEARS OLD.

>> HAVE YOU TALKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF HIM NOT COMING HOME?

>> NO.

EVEN IN 2006, LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF TROOPS THAT HAD GONE OVER THERE.

I AM NOT A GAMBLING PERSON, BUT MY ODDS WERE PRETTY GOOD THAT IT WOULD NOT BE MY SON.

THAT IS WHAT I HELD ONTO.

>> THAT SINS OF HOPE CARRIED TIM THROUGH SOME OF THE DARKEST DAYS OF HIS LIFE.

>> HE DID NOT EXPECT TO DO WHAT WE DID.

THAT IS ACTIVE DUTY STUFF.

>> HE JOINED THE GUARD IN 1991.

IT LED HIM TO MISSIONS THAT HE NEVER IMAGINED.

>> PROTECTING MY LIFE AND MY SOLDIERS LIFE.

TAKING SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE.

EVERY DAY, I CAN CLOSE MY EYES AND ENVISION WHAT I HAVE DONE OVER THERE.

>> DEPLOYED TO IRAQ SHORTLY AFTER U.S.

FORCES INVADED THE COUNTRY, IN SEARCH OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

NONE WERE EVER FOUND.

U.S.

TROOPS WERE GIVEN A DECK OF CARDS FEATURING THE MOST WANTED IRAQIS.

>> OUR SOLE PURPOSE WAS TO GO HOUSE TO HOUSE, LOOKING FOR THE ACE OF SPADES, WHICH WAS SADDAM HUSSEIN.

AND WE ARE ALL GOING TO COME HOME.

>> BUT IT WAS NOT TO BE.

THE RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD LOST THREE SERVICE MEMBERS, INCLUDING HIS BEST FRIEND.

>> COMING HOME, COMING OFF OF THAT, KNOWING THAT WE ARE SHORT THREE PEOPLE.

YEAH.

>> MORE THAN 7000 U.S.

TROOPS DIED FIGHTING THE WARS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.

THEY CAME HOME WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

HIS WIFE ENCOURAGED HIM TO GET HELP.

>> SHE ALWAYS TOLD PEOPLE -- SHE SAID, I AM NOT THE TIME THAT SHE MARRIED.

THAT HURTS.

IT IS WHAT WAR DOES.

>> WHEN DID YOU GET -- HIT ROCK BOTTOM?

>> 2014 IS WHEN I WAS ON THE FOURTH FLOOR AT THE V.A.

THAT IS THE SAKE WORD.

THAT IS WHEN I HEARD THAT THEY WERE DISCHARGING ME.

THE MILITARY WAS MY LIFE.

IT WAS MY LIFE FOR 23 YEARS.

IF I CANNOT HAVE THAT, I AM NOT GOOD AT WHAT I AM DOING NOW, SO I MIGHT AS WELL COMMIT SUICIDE.

>> A LOT HAS CHANGED FOR HIM SINCE THOSE DARK DAYS.

HE GOES TO COUNSELING TWICE A MONTH AND IS ON MEDICATION TO MANAGE HIS DEPRESSION.

HIS JOB HAS PLAYED PERHAPS THE BIGGEST PART IN IMPROVING HIS MENTAL HEALTH.

HE HAS NOT HAD ANY SUICIDAL THOUGHTS SINCE HE BEGAN WORKING AT OPERATION STANDDOWN.

>> THERE ARE OVER 30 IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.

>> HELPING VETERANS LIKE HIMSELF COPE WITH THEIR PTSD, FIND WORK AND INTEGRATE BACK INTO SOCIETY.

>> I THINK I WAS PUT ON EARTH TO HELP PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY VETERANS.

>> HE ABSOLUTELY DID SHINE.

>> HELPING VETERANS IN HER COMMUNITY HAS BEEN HER MISSION FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS.

SHE RAISED $1000 TO RENOVATE THE TRACK WHERE HER SON USED TO RACE.

>> WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR YOU TO BE OUT ON THE TRACK, KNOWING THAT IT IS NAMED AFTER YOUR SON?

>> IS PRETTY SPECIAL.

I WORKED TO GET THIS DONE WITH A LOT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

>> A MOVING TRIBUTE FOR A MAN WHO LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY.

ALWAYS CLOSE TO HER HEART, ST. GERMAIN LUND CARRIES HER SON'S DONE TEXT WITH HER.

REX BY TALKING ABOUT BRIAN, I REMEMBER IT EVERY DAY.

YOU HELP ME REMEMBER THAT SHE LIVED, AND THAT IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT.

>> MANY AMERICANS REMEMBER A MOMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY, FOLLOWING SEPTEMBER 11.

PEOPLE DONATED BLOOD IN DROVES AND THE NEW YORK TIMES DECLARED THE BIG APPLE A SMALL TOWN.

THIS RESOLUTE SPIRIT WAS MARRED BY ANOTHER REACTION.

WITH ALL THE HIJACKERS IDENTIFIED AS MUSLIM, IT COST A HARSH SPOTLIGHT ON PEOPLE OF THAT FAITH IN AMERICA.

IT RESULTED IN A RASH OF HATE CRIMES.

IN THE MONTH FOLLOWING THE DISASTER, THERE WERE MORE THAN 360 ANTI-MUSLIM HEAT CRIMES COMMITTED ACROSS THE U.S. TONIGHT WE TALKED TO TWO MUSLIM RHODE ISLANDERS ABOUT PRE-AND POST 9/11.

>> I WAS BORN IN KUWAIT AND I MOVED TO RHODE ISLAND WHEN I WAS FIVE.

GROWING UP IN RHODE ISLAND, WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE, IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A CULTURE SHOCK.

IT WAS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LIFESTYLE.

NOT MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY KNEW THAT I WAS MUSLIM, ORIGINALLY, BECAUSE I KIND OF LOOKED -- I GUESS I LOOKED SPANISH.

I HAD CURLY HAIR AND I DID NOT WEAR A -- NOT MANY PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION.

IT WAS NOT A CONVERSATION.

>> MY MOM IS HALF SYRIAN AND MY DAD IS SYRIAN.

I WAS BORN IN BOSTON.

I NEVER REALLY LOOKED AT MYSELF AS DIFFERENT THAN ANYBODY ELSE.

I NEVER FELT LIKE AN OUTSIDER, FOR THE MOST PART.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SURROUNDED BY GREAT FRIENDS, WHETHER THEY ARE MUSLIM OR NOT.

I ALWAYS FELT LIKE I WAS PART OF A COMMUNITY AND A FAMILY.

>> IT IS EVERYTHING, DAY-TO-DAY INVOLVES ME BEING A MUSLIM.

WHEN I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING, I PRAY.

BEFORE WE EAT, WE SAY -- EVERYTHING IN OUR LIFE REVOLVES AROUND BEING A MUSLIM.

>> AS SAPPY AS THIS WILL SOUND, I THINK THAT MY RELIGION GIVES ME PURPOSE.

I DO NOT THINK I WOULD BE EVEN HALF THE PERSON I WEAR TODAY, IF IT WERE NOT FOR MY RELIGION.

IT GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO WORK TOWARDS.

IT IS A VERY GOAL ORIENTED PERSON.

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS ALWAYS WATCHING, IT JUST GIVES ME PURPOSE.

>> NINE WAS ONE OF THE SCARIEST DAYS OF MY LIFE.

I REMEMBER IT VIVIDLY.

IT WAS MY SECOND YEAR IN COLLEGE AND I REMEMBER CHAOS.

I WENT HOME, TURNED THE TV ON AND IT WAS THE FOOTAGE OF THE FIRST PLANE GOING IN.

THE SECOND PLANE, HITTING THE TOWER, AND IT JUST KEPT GOING OVER AND OVER AND OVER.

FINALLY, TERRORIST ATTACK.

I FEEL LIKE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I EVER -- MAYBE IT WAS NOT, BUT IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I EVER HEARD TERRY'S SO MUCH IN MY LIFE.

RIGHT NEXT TO IT, MUSLIM.

AS A MUSLIM WOMAN, AT THAT POINT, MY WHOLE LIFE CHANGED.

IT WAS SCARY GOING TO WORK AND IT WAS SCARY LEAVING MY HOUSE.

I HAD PEOPLE FOLLOW ME, YELLING, GET OUT OF OUR COUNTRY, YOU TERRORIST, JUST BECAUSE I LOOKED LIKE THE OTHER, NOW.

>> IF YOU ARE SEEING THEM AS DEFINING ISLAM, THAT IS LIKE SAYING KKK DEFINES CHRISTIANITY.

IT IS NOT ACCURATE.

IT IS A SMALL MINORITY.

IT IS A VERY SMALL FRACTION.

IT IS THERE AND SMALL.

>> EVEN AFTER SEPTEMBER 11, A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKED INTO ISLAM AND LEARNED A LOT ABOUT ISLAM.

TURNS OUT IT WAS NOT SUCH AN AWFUL RELIGION.

THE OLDER I GET, THE MORE I LEARN, THE MORE I DIG DEEP.

I LOVE IT, MORE AND MORE.

IT IS TRULY BEAUTIFUL.

TO SAY THE LEAST.

>> TONIGHT, RETURN TO THE WORDS OF TINA KANE.

WE ASKED HER TO SHARE A POEM, IN MEMORY OF THE DAY.

SHE GREW UP A QUINTESSENTIAL NEW YORKER.

HER FATHER DROVE A TAXICAB.

9/11, SHE WATCHED THE SCENE UNFOLD FROM HER APARTMENT IN BROOKLYN.

>> IT IS LIKE A FEVER DREAM.

WE SAW THE SECOND PLANE HIT THE SECOND TOWER.

YOU COULD SEE THE TWIN TOWERS.

THE MOST SALIENT IMAGE FOR ME WAS LOOKING AT THE TOWERS AND SEEING A FLURRY COMING OFF THE TOWERS AND THINKING, EVEN THE BIRDS.

IT WAS LIKE TWO OR THREE DAYS LATER WHERE IT REALLY HIT ME HARD.

THE STORY STARTED COMING OUT ABOUT PEOPLE'S LAST WORDS THAT IT WAS NOT BIRDS.

IT IS ABOUT GRIEF AND GRIEF AT A DISTANCE, AS A NEW YORKER.

FEELING LIKE A BIG PART OF ME IS THERE AND WILL ALWAYS BE THERE.

DESIGNATED NEW YORKER.

IT IS MY HEART MY HEART BACK IN NEW YORK THAT NATURE IS BREAKING, THE WAY MOTHER'S HEART BREAKS FOR SOMETHING SHE CANNOT LEAVE.

THIRD THAT I GIVE MY PROVERBIAL STOOL, THE OTHER TBL BEING THE STREET AND THE STREET, MEANING THAT MY HEART CAN BE SCARRED OR SLOW TO FORGIVE, MEANING THAT IT KNOWS THAT TOWERS FALL OR THAT PILLARS FALTER.

I LOCK MYSELF EACH DAY, LIKE I AM MY OWN DOG, SOLE OWNER OF MY ANIMAL FEARS.

IN NEED OF PEACE AND FRESH AIR, LIKE CHILDREN AND LINENS.

A VENTILATOR, WIND TO LIFT THE SALES.

TO STIR THE SOULS BENEATH THE HALLOWED GROUND.

WE NOW CALL FREEDOM.

IT IS MY HEART, AND MEAN HEART BACK IN NEW YORK.

WHO CARRIED THE LIVING AND THE DEAD IN THEIR ARMS.

WHO CARRY THEM STILL.

LOVE ALSO FROM AFAR.

FROM CLERKS AND NURSES.

FROM WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD.

WHEN THERE ARE NO MORE STONES, THEY THROW THEIR SHOES.

LOVE FOR DOLPHINS, WHO NEVER ONCE SWAM IN THE CANALS OF VENICE, BUT LOVE THE STORIES, TOO THRILLING TO BE TRUE.

LOVE, EVEN FOR MOLECULES THAT MIGHT KILL ME IN THE SUBWAY OF MY MIND OR FROM ACROSS THE SIX FOOT DIVIDE AT THE CHECKOUT LINE AND FOR WINTERGREEN MINTS TOSSED IN MY BACK -- BASKET AT THE LAST SECOND.

THEIR HOSPITAL SENT SYNONYMOUS WITH DEATH AND PANDEMIC.

IT IS MY HEART, I MEAN THE LITMUS RESIDENT OF LOVE, THAT GROWS TO A TOWERING PROPORTION, IN THE ABSENCE OF THOSE WHO ARE STOLEN OR WHO SLIPPED AWAY.

IT IS MY HEART THAT COUNTS YOU AND ME AMONG THOSE WHO GET TO STAY.

>> OUR THANKS TO TINA KANE.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

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