Words of fear, war and love

The acts of Tuesday, September 11, were unspeakable. Yet people have struggled to put into words their experiences and their response. Here are some of the most memorable quotes in a memorable time:

* "I see water and buildings. Oh My God! Oh My God!" - The last words of stewardess Madeline Amy Sweeney on American Airlines Flight 11 before it crashed into the World Trade Center.

* "Freedom itself was attacked this morning by faceless cowards. And freedom will be defended." - US President George Bush addresses the American public shortly after learning of the attack.

* "When I was a kid I remember the 'wanted' poster. It said, 'Wanted, Dead or Alive'." - President Bush tells military officials he wants Osama bin Laden, the exiled Saudi dissident who is a prime suspect in the terrorist attack.

* "The US is pointing the finger at me, but I categorically state that I have not done this." - Osama bin Laden protests his innocence in a statement faxed to the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news agency.

* "A small child has attacked a giant. It would be a disaster if the giant were to behave like the small child." - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi urges the United States to take caution.

* "He loved his children and it was a blessing to have known him. I'm going to cry now." - Kimi Beaven, American wife of New Zealander Alan Beaven, 48, who was one of 45 people on board hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 who were killed when it crashed near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

* "Are you guys ready? Let's roll." - The last recorded words of Todd Beamer, also a passenger on Flight 93 and believed to have been a leader of a heroic attempt by passengers to overcome the hijackers.

* " ... made my life worth living again." - Todd Beamer's wife, Lisa, on hearing of her husband's heroism.

* "He took off his hat to pray, and something came down and hit him in the head." - Retired New York fire battalion chief Bob McGrath, explaining how Father Mychal Judge was apparently killed while administering last rites to a fallen firefighter.

* "If a powerful country attacks a weak country, it is a jihad for all Muslims. When a non-Muslim country attacks a Muslim country, it also is a jihad." - Delegate to a meeting of clerics in Afghanistan.

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United Airlines: 0168 1800 932 8555

American Airlines: 0168 1800 245 0999

NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade: 0800 872 111

US Embassy in Wellington (recorded info): 04 472 2068

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How to donate to firefighters' fund

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