I find a strange comfort from 9/11 coverage. A tribute to Peter Jennings.

Cannot believe it’s been 25 years since that day. I was 15 and remember running home from school at the request of my mum, sitting down in front of the TV and finding myself 5 hours later still dressed in my full school uniform including blazer tie and shoes, frozen in shock, fear, and disbelief. It goes without saying 9/11 has shaped the last 25 years for so many.

I have watched every documentary 100s of witness testimonies NIST footage which once was all available on YouTube and related talks speeches etc etc. Among all of that I found uploads of ABC news coverage from the day anchored almost entirely by the late Peter Jennings who sat at his desk for 17 hours that day.

I found his coverage reassuring, informed, and calm despite the tragedy unfolding. After a time I found his voice soothing almost soporific I started listening to his coverage at night to help me sleep.

It is my go to final option when I can’t shut down my mind at night to this day.

I make this confession now on the anniversary as I wish to pay tribute to Peter, as I am sure he did great work that day to reassure, inform, and calm the American people who watched him.

He has brought me comfort in the years since as he has brought comfort to millions that day.

At only one point that day did Peter let his emotions bubble through shortly after speaking to his children about the events. Clip added below.

https://youtu.be/-pg9uA3snDU?feature=shared

The message to parents to call their children and exchange observations is a great one.