For most, 9/11 a time for solitary reflection, poll finds

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, September 14, 2011

By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Sunday was a day of remembrance for many across the country as citizens from the East Coast to the West Coast and all points between stopped to remember the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.

While the main focus of the commemorative events was in New York City and Washington, D.C., which felt the full force of the attacks, other smaller gatherings dotted the entire nation, including the River Parishes. As such, last week L’Observateur asked visitors to its website what they planned to do to commemorate the tragedy.

By far, most people who responded to the poll said they would just take a few minutes out of their day Sunday to remember the tragedy and the sacrifices made that day. Nearly 70 percent of respondents chose this option.

Although there were a few local options to gather with friends and neighbors to remember 9/11, few who responded to the poll intended to attend any of these. Less than 10 percent of respondents chose this option.

Almost one quarter of poll respondents said they did not plan to do anything to mark the event.

A full breakdown of results follows:

• 7 percent of respondents chose “I will take part in an organized event such as a candlelight vigil or other type of memorial.”

• 68 percent of respondents chose “I will take a few minutes Sunday on my own to stop and reflect on the tragedy.”

• 24 percent of respondents chose “I don’t plan to do anything.”