The events of Sept. 11 transformed our country. For many Americans, life has never been the same since that dreadful day. Because of the attack, many of us lost loved ones, airport security became completely insane and the government was allowed to infringe on our civil rights in order to “fight terrorism.” But my story is a far greater atrocity. Because of that day, I lost my dream. My entire life I have had one dream and because of this monumental act of terrorism, I was not able to fulfill this dream.
Ever since I was a young boy, I dreamed of visiting the New York Stock Exchange. My dream was born when I was four years old and saw the best movie of all time — Wall Street. For those unfortunate few who have not seen this movie, you have not experienced life. This movie is a gripping, powerful tale of a stock broker on Wall Street and his ambition for wealth and power. The movie has action, drama, suspense, betrayal and fully captures the daily chaos and the majesty that is Wall Street. This movie created an entire generation of finance lovers, and made each of us long to visit the exchange. The NYSE is an amazing place. It is the Mecca of capitalism, centered right here in the United States. Thousands of traders work there, all running around and stepping on each other to try and make a buck. Billions of dollars are traded millions of times over, and fortunes are made and destroyed in the blink of an eye. “Buy!” “Sell!” These are the cries of the warriors who battle there.
Growing up, every day I would watch Wall Street. With each screening, I became more excited about my dream. “One day,” I promised myself, “One day I will be there”. Once I got to college and started studying finance, learning about the exchange and the more technical aspects of what takes place there, I became even more excited to visit. I saved money for two years to make a trip to New York City to visit the exchange, and during the summer of 2004, I would finally realize my dream.
I packed my bags and loaded up the car to make the 11-hour drive up to the city. My girlfriend at the time, who fully supported me and my dream, accompanied me on this journey. I could see in her beautiful eyes the excitement she had for seeing me fulfill my dream. I was giddy the entire drive up, and once we arrived, the first thing I wanted to do was to visit the exchange.
I shook with excitement on the subway to downtown Manhattan. Once I got off the subway, I randomly threw my map away, relying on the aura of the exchange to draw me to it. I smiled the entire walk to Wall Street, dressed in my vivid Hawaiian shirt, cut-off khaki shorts and sandals. Once we reached the building, I could barely contain my enthusiasm. I stared up at the century-old building, decorated with an enormous American flag, and shimmered with glee. Time stood still. The clouds parted and a radiant light from heaven illuminated the building. Angels rejoiced to me. I would finally accomplish my dream.
The angels stopped rejoicing when I looked at the entrance to the building and saw armored cars, a S.W.A.T. team armed with assault rifles and attack dogs growling angrily at me. It seems that security levels had increased dramatically after the Sept. 11 attacks, and more precaution was necessary. As I approached the door to the exchange, an officer grabbed me by the shoulder. He explained to me that because of terrorist threats, visitors were no longer allowed in the NYSE. I immediately began to weep. I looked up to the heavens and screamed at God. I looked over at my girlfriend, and a single tear trickled down her soft cheek. “Let’s go,” she said. All the excitement and anticipation of finally realizing my dream was gone. All that remained was sadness and disappointment. Although he did not destroy America, Osama Bin Laden did succeed in destroying the dream of an aspiring young man. For that, I will never forgive him. Since that fateful day, my life has changed completely. My girlfriend is now gone, food has lost its flavor. The passion for my dream that once filled my life has diminished, all because of the horrible attack that occurred on Sept. 11.
