Many years have gone by since the terrible events of September 11, which will always be in the collective memory of the people of the United States. The scars from that terrible day are still there, as real as if they happened yesterday.
9/11 holds a deep sense of grief and loss for those who witnessed the atrocities firsthand. The recollections of the pitch-black skies and the stunned silence as the two buildings collapsed, killing nearly 3,000 innocent people, are still fresh in our minds. But the American people’s tenacity and patriotism were evident despite the smoke and devastation.
America united against the perpetrators of the heinous atrocity on that sombre day. Tributaries came in from all across the world as grief knew no geographical bounds. It was a time when people put aside their differences and mourned with the United States together with all other nations.
The famous American company Budweiser released an ad during these difficult times that struck a deep chord with a large number of people. The advertisement showed the commercial’s magnificent Clydesdales—regal horses known for their power and grace—moving through New York City’s streets. They passed famous sites including the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty before reaching a park with a view of the city skyline.
The ending of the commercial stuck in my memory the most. When the Clydesdales arrived at the location of the former Twin Towers, they came to a sombre stop. As though giving respect, they bowed their heads in a moment of gravity. This striking ad’s message was crystal clear: “never forget, and never allow such a tragedy to occur again.”
This powerful advertisement was taken off the air before the tenth anniversary of 9/11. The parent business of Budweiser, Anheuser-Busch, Vice President of Marketing Paul Chibe, expressed satisfaction in rerunning the commercial on the anniversary. Raising money and awareness for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum was the aim. The commercial was updated to reflect the passing of time and stressed the ongoing need to remember and pay tribute to those who were impacted by 9/11.
This moving ad is still a moving reminder of the fortitude, camaraderie, and unwavering spirit that rose from the rubble of that fateful day. It honours both the nation’s continuing strength and the lingering remembrance of September 11th.
