WARNING:
The image contained in this post, while not graphic, is horrifying to some and devastatingly emotional to many others. If you feel you maybe offended or affected by the photo, please do not continue to read this posting any further.
When I consider the events of September 11th, 2001, there is one visual I keep coming back to from that day. It is not of buildings or airplanes, yet it is that of a person: A man faced with a choice that would seem impossible to the rest of us on September 10th, because the consequence was the same.
Death.
“The Falling Man” is an image that was captured by Associated Press photographer Richard Drew of a man falling head first from the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 9:41:15am on 9/11 after having jumped out a window. The photograph depicts a millisecond in the last moments of the man’s life.
I cannot imagine the horror of the moment or the resignation in knowing that there were only four possible outcomes:
Death by asphyxiation from the burning jet fuel which has ignited his surroundings?
Death by burning to death in a fire?
Death by building collapse?
Death by jumping?
Ultimately, he chose the only method which would be quicker and less painful than any of the others.
(BELOW THIS SPACE IS THE IMAGE OF “THE FALLING MAN.” Please scroll down to view, if you so choose.)
(Photo by Richard Drew/AP)
The Falling Man.
Above him, the tragedy and the chaos of destruction caused an unthinkable act perpetrated by a few but carried out on a nation.
Below him, the unforgiving ground of Lower Manhattan.
In between the two…this moment. Release? Escape? Tumult? Silence? Rage? Peace? Terror? Life? Perhaps one or more of those things–or possibly even all of them in an instant. But only one is certain…
Fate.
One moment captured by a lens that–at least to me–conveys the horror and the emotion of September 11th, 2001, more succinctly than any video taped account of the attacks. After a decade, it is difficult to view this photograph without tears in my eyes and I suspect it always will be.
Some look at this photo and see death. I look at this photo and I see his life and I ponder what he did that morning. Maybe he was tired from staying up to watch Monday Night Football the night before? Maybe he was convinced that Tuesday was going to be the best day of his life? Maybe he had plans with friends or family that night? Maybe he was looking forward to going for a drive in his car? Maybe he believed in God? Maybe he was hoping to do absolutely nothing after he got out of work? Maybe he lost someone close to him recently? Maybe he was in love?
Ten years ago, nearly 3,000 of our American brothers and sisters were taken from us in an act. While I will never forget the events of that day and what they meant for our nation and our people, I will always remember The Falling Man.
He is all of us.
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