With his kind permission, for the third year I’m posting one of Craig Pindell’s Never Forget series of photographs and some of his words in remembrance of the attack on New York’s World Trade Center on September 11th 2001.

As it doesn’t seem to be clear to everyone who had read the past two years’ posts, I am not engaging in political commentary or trying to start debate here. I’m simply marking an event that has had far-reaching impact in my life. I’m inviting you to pause and think; and I’m sharing what I believe to be a great effort by the photographer.

If you are reading this at 08:46 EST on September 11th 2017, Craig will have just captured the latest image in his series.

About the project, from the man himself:

“Like almost everyone I know, I can remember exactly where I was when I heard that airplanes had crashed into the twin towers, the Pentagon, and in the field in Pennsylvania. I also can remember the sick feeling, the anger, the astonishment, and the resolution to always remember that our country had been attacked in such a cowardly fashion.

Everywhere in the nation there were American Flags flying proudly. The entire country came together as one. We all promised we would never forget. That patriotism was the genesis for this project for myself – I would make a photograph every September 11 at 6:46 am Mountain Time – the exact time the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

Since that horrible day in 2001, memories have faded for some. There are fewer flags flying these days. Patriots are harder to find, but I have never missed my self-appointed scheduled photograph.”

The image below is the fifth in Craig’s series and was taken on September 11th 2011.

About the image:

This was a cool, breezy morning, and I found this photo very quickly. I had lot of time to contemplate the year since that had passed. Osama Bin Ladin had been killed. The name most associated with the 9/11 cowards had been executed.

My good friend and motorcycle companion of many years seems to be very sick. My mother had been in the hospital a couple of times for internal bleeding. My mother-in-law had fallen and had surgery this year. I had quit my job because the travel and schedule was impossible. The new company I went to work for certainly had not lived up to expectations, and I still have 3 more months of my contract with them. A lot of change in short order. I have no comfort zone anymore.

And saddest of all, even the death of Bin Ladin does not bring back the flags and the patriotism. Americans have forgotten the feeling we had after 9/11.

 


 

Once again, thank you for allowing me to share, Craig.

~ EMULSIVE

 

 

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3 responses to “Photostory: Never Forget 2011 – Craig Pindell”

  1. In a time where most Americans are engaged in political warfare its nice to remember that we are more alike than different -Here we are all artist, photographers, creatives. Its a safe space to share our feelings via photography and while many may feel this is politically charged I just see a fellow American honoring lost loved ones and a major event in modern America. Thank you for never forgetting Craig and thank you Emulsive for seeing the meaning and continuing to share.

  2. Thanks for your words Craig.

 

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