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Remembering 9/11: 20 years later

Sept. 11, 2021
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3 min read
9_11 Towers_ericsphotography
Remembering 9/11: 20 years later
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Editor's Note

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, TPG is reposting some of our anniversary coverage over the years.

Ten years ago, TPG reader Mark sent me some incredible 360-degree pictures he took of the World Trade Center in June of 2000. He wrote, "I think it would be nice to step back in time and remember the Twin Towers as they were," and I couldn’t agree more.

View from the top of the towers

View from the ground plaza

I vividly remember being a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh on Sept. 11, 2001, and being awoken by a frantic dorm mate saying that the country was under attack. Earlier that morning our entire dorm was evacuated for a fire, so I was extra tired and stunned by the news. As the events transpired we ended up getting evacuated again as we learned that a plane went down outside of Pittsburgh and that more might be on the way.

I also remember watching the replay of the planes flying into the twin towers — horrified, like everyone else, by what was happening. I truly felt like the world was coming to an end.

Would life ever return to normal? Or would our lives be filled with terrorist attacks constantly from here on out? Would I ever be able to travel again? That feeling of hopelessness has returned multiple times in the last 20 years, especially in the middle of another crisis shaping the travel industry — the COVID-19 pandemic.

It's incredible how two completely different events could change the world as we know it. Twenty years ago it was the shock of violence on our own shores — for many of us, just blocks from where we lived — and now it's the ongoing battle of a pandemic.

Our lives are all so different than they were 20 years ago but we somehow find ourselves trying to find the silver lining again in an otherwise dark and foreboding reality.

Family members of 9/11 victims tribute their loved ones on the 19th anniversary of September 11 attacks in New York City on September 11, 2020.
(Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

I've found a silver lining in the last year and for me that means slowing down, rebalancing my life and deciding what's important. If you follow me on social media (@briankelly on Instagram), you know that I have found so much joy in learning to ride my horse, Carbon, and spending time with my two adopted dogs, Marshall and Celine.

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But the most exciting thing to come out of the whirlwind of the last year is that I'm taking steps to realize my biggest dream — becoming a father.

It's been two decades since the morning I was woken up in my freshman dorm to find out that our country was under attack. I look back on that day with a more mature insight into how the world can heal from trauma like that and I'm optimistic that we can heal again from the pandemic that we find ourselves in today.

But still, we should take time today to honor the memories of those that we lost on Sept. 11, 2001, while also looking ahead to a brighter future.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.