Real Stories

This week I’ve been reading blogs and stories of survivors, family of lost ones and beautiful tributes to the heroes and the 2,000 that died on September 11, 2001.

We remember so vividly as if it happened last week. So many are still hurting while others are finally opening up and allowing healing to begin, 10 years later. My friend Murray is one of them. A 9/11 survivor. He shared his heartfelt 9/11 experience on his blog, please check it out. It’s a very touching story: Murray Izenwasser

There were two other letters I read that I found very profound and powerful.

My friend and colleague, Jonathan Schwartz, shared with me an email he received from his CEO at AutoNation.

Letter from Mike Jackson, CEO at AutoNation

Dear Associate:

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, we pause to remember and reflect. We remember the workers who were lost by simply showing up for work on a Tuesday morning. We remember the first responders who rushed to the scene and continued to go up as the towers came down. We remember the volunteers who lined up to donate blood to the wounded. We remember the troops who paid the ultimate sacrifice by traveling thousands of miles from home to protect our nation.

Most importantly, we must remember how we, the citizens of this great country, came together in unity; bound together by pride and purpose. The United States may have stirred on that day, but our enduring spirit and values were not shaken. Nor will they ever be. Because when it comes to matters of enterprise and endeavor, generosity and human achievement, democracy and freedom, our country will always be the leader and the land of opportunity.

Today, we are more than three hundred million strong, a people forged in the enduring principles of human dignity and common decency. Together, as individuals and united as a nation, we will persevere, prosper and always remember 9/11.

Mike Jackson

Also, I received an email from the CEO of Meetup about “Meetup a 9/11 baby”. As an avid Meetup member and organizer, this story was a shocking surprise. I had no idea.

Letter from Scott Heiferman, CEO of Meetup

Fellow Meetuppers,

I don’t write to our whole community often, but this week is special because it’s the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and many people don’t know that Meetup is a 9/11 baby.

Let me tell you the Meetup story. I was living a couple miles from the Twin Towers, and I was the kind of person who thought local community doesn’t matter much if we’ve got the internet and tv. The only time I thought about my neighbors was when I hoped they wouldn’t bother me.

When the towers fell, I found myself talking to more neighbors in the days after 9/11 than ever before. People said hello to neighbors (next-door and across the city) who they’d normally ignore. People were looking after each other, helping each other, and meeting up with each other. You know, being neighborly.

A lot of people were thinking that maybe 9/11 could bring people together in a lasting way. So the idea for Meetup was born: Could we use the internet to get off the internet — and grow local communities?

We didn’t know if it would work. Most people thought it was a crazy idea — especially because terrorism is designed to make people distrust one another.

A small team came together, and we launched Meetup 9 months after 9/11.

Today, almost 10 years and 10 million Meetuppers later, it’s working. Every day, thousands of Meetups happen. Moms Meetups, Small Business Meetups, Fitness Meetups… a wild variety of 100,000 Meetup Groups with not much in common — except one thing.

Every Meetup starts with people simply saying hello to neighbors. And what often happens next is still amazing to me. They grow businesses and bands together, they teach and motivate each other, they babysit each other’s kids and find other ways to work together. They have fun and find solace together. They make friends and form powerful community. It’s powerful stuff.

It’s a wonderful revolution in local community, and it’s thanks to everyone who shows up.

Meetups aren’t about 9/11, but they may not be happening if it weren’t for 9/11.

9/11 didn’t make us too scared to go outside or talk to strangers. 9/11 didn’t rip us apart. No, we’re building new community together!!!!

The towers fell, but we rise up. And we’re just getting started with these Meetups.

Scott Heiferman (on behalf of 80 people at Meetup HQ)