Chapter 55-Remembering
By: MysticFantasy
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prompt provided by Fighterfighter Capsicle
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"Remembering the classics are awesome but there are other things that are remembered with more meaning." Bruce said.
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Steve walked into the common room and spotted Bruce and Clint sitting on the couch watching a documentary. He quietly walked over, not wanting to disturb them, and observed what they were watching.
"What's this?" he asked.
"It's a documentary on the twelve year anniversary of the Twin Towers attack." Bruce answered.
"What?!" the soldier exclaimed and watched in horror as the screen showed an upward angle of a plane flying directly into the tall building.
He felt his heart and stomach turn at the sight of people running away from the twin buildings as they started to fall toward the ground. The wall of dust that rolled over everything in its path like a huge wave.
"This was eleven years before we found you, Steve." Clint said. "This happened back in 2001."
Steve just continued to look at the footage. Watching as people ran in fear and confusion, rescue personell doing everything in their power to help the injured and scared, people dying...
"I wish I could have done something." he muttered so quietly that Bruce and Clint nearly missed it.
"Steve, this happened more than a decade before we found you." Clint said. "I'm sorry to say it but there wasn't anything you could have done."
"How many?" Steve asked.
"Too many." Bruce answered. "More than any of us wanted to count. So many lives were destroyed forever that day. It was a nightmare."
"SHIELD did help a little. Secretly of course." Clint said. "We got most of our medical agents there to help out and nearly every agent went to volunteer to help clean up and rebuild."
"I can't believe something like this would happen." Steve said. "I can't believe how much things have changed. What was the reason this happened?"
"There were too many rumors going around. Still are. A lot of people were saying that it was because the people from the countries that did this hate the freedom and wealth that America possess, others were saying that it was the government for their own reasons..."
"The memorial site is open to the public. We can take you there if you want to see it." Bruce offered.
"I might go later. Alone. I appreciate you both telling me about this." Steve said.
"Sure thing, Steve. There's dozens of books and news videos if you want to learn more about it later." Bruce said.
"Thanks."
Several hours later, Steve found himself at the memorial site of the attack wearing his prized uniform. There were dozens of people present. Many of them were lying flowers, cards and other gifts in front of the large walls with the names of those who died. Candles were being lit and prayers were being said.
Steve walked over to the wall but stopped a few feet behind the small crowd. He couldn't believe how many names were written on the black rock before him.
Bruce was right. There were way too many names.
"Excuse me? Captain Rogers?"
Steve looked to the side and came face to face with a female reporter. Standing behind her was a camera man who looked ready to start filming at any time.
"I'm sorry for disturbing you Captain Rogers but I was hoping I could get a short interview with you about this event." she said.
"Sure. Although I haven't been able to learn too much about it yet." Steve answered.
"That's alright. We'd just like to get your personal opinion about it." she said. She led Steve and the camera man to a spot in front of the wall that was vacant and gave the signal to start filming.
Upon seeing that the famous super soldier was present and giving an interview, some of the people began to gather around beind the camera man.
"This is Maria Thompson reporting from the 9/11 memorial site. Standing here with me is Captain Steven Rogers. Captain Rogers, have you been informed about this attack since your revival?"
"The other Avengers have brought me up to date on it. They were informative of what happened on this day twelve years ago."
"How did it make you feel?"
"I was very upset." Steve answered honestly. "I had a mix of emotions from seeing many videos of the attacks."
"Were you angry at the people who staged the attacks?"
"Very."
"What about all of the police, doctors, emt's and fire fighters?"
"They have gotten a greater deal of respect from me by the actions they did. They did everything in their power to help restore peace and help everyone who came to them. They deserve to be called heroes more than ever before."
The crowd clapped greatly at Steve's words before going quiet and allowing the interview to continue.
"So, Captain, what brought you out here to memorial?"
"After learning that today was the twelfth anniversary of the attack, I came to pay my respects. The culture shock of seeing a different country from the one I knew was shock enough. Once I learned of the Twin Towers attack, I was in a bigger state of shock that something like this could happen. I was relieved to see that people did come together during such a time. Helping each other in any way possible. After something so horrific, I would like to think that the people of America still have a sense of hope and a strong bond that makes other countries realize that we cannot be broken so easily."
The crowd once again erupted into cheers. This time it was longer and louder than before.
"Last question, Captain. Is there anything that you'd like to say to the people of America and the families of the victims?"
"Yes. Twelve years ago, the lives of everyone involved in the attack of the World Trade Center were affected and changed forever. Many of you lost loved ones. Speaking from experience, I know how much it hurts to know that someone you cared for will never come back. But by keeping their memories alive, it's like they are still with us. Everyone suffered the day of the attack for a time after but now it's time to show everyone just how strong we really are by not letting them think they can over power us. We are a strong nation and even stronger people."
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"You know, ever since you gave that interview, there's been a huge increase in people wanting to join law enforcement, medics, fire fighters...the works." Tony said.
"He spoke the truth to the people." Thor said. "This is indeed a strong country that you live in. But when they are weakened, they allow other the chance to hurt them more. Something I believe that this world is not capable of."
"They're not anymore." Clint said. "They got their national treasure back to help them see how strong they really are."
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My prayers are still with those who were affected by the attack on the World Trade Center.