2004-9-5
WRITER: "Hey, it's okay. Maybe I can help. I've never written a
eulogy before, but I've written some speeches. How many did you say
there were?"
FIRE CAPTAIN: "Eight."
WRITER: "Eight!"
FIRE CAPTAIN: "Eight men. I lost eight men."
VOICE TWO:
In Washington, the Library of Congress is showing a collection of
posters related to Nine-Eleven. One of these posters is formed from
images of the victims. It shows the Twin Towers with a burst of
yellow light between the buildings.
The poster by Alex Spektor is called "The Sun." But the light
could also represent the fires of Nine-Eleven or a spiritual effect.
VOICE ONE:
Some songs about Nine-Eleven express anger. Other express pride
in America. Still others describe conditions during or after the
attacks.
Bruce Springsteen wrote "Empty Sky." The name comes from the days
immediately after Nine-Eleven when all but military flights were
grounded.
((CUT TWO: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, "EMPTY SKY" CDP 25546A, Band Six,
beginning at about 0:57 to 1:58))
VOICE TWO:
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra asked the composer John Adams
to write a piece in memory of Nine-Eleven. Mister Adams won a
Pulitzer Prize for this work. The names of victims, and some of
their final words, are heard over the music.
The piece is called "On the Transmigration of Souls."
(MUSIC)
VOICE ONE:
A recording of "On the Transmigration of Souls" by composer John
Adams is being released to mark the third anniversary of
Nine-Eleven.
(MUSIC)
VOICE TWO:
Our program was written by Jerilyn Watson and produced by Caty
Weaver. And our e-mail address is special@voanews.com. I'm Steve
Ember.
VOICE ONE:
And I'm Gwen Outen. Please join us again next week for THIS IS
AMERICA in VOA Special English.