We walked through the bustling blocks of New York City and its hurrying crowds, and arrived at a place tinged with sadness — the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum.

Unlike the noisy and lively Wall Street, the atmosphere here was solemn, even though there was already a big crowd at the museum. As we moved forward with the crowd, we saw two enormous reflecting pools located where the Twin Towers once stood.

The structures are the largest man-made waterfalls in the United States. Both pools symbolize the loss of life and the physical void left by the attacks. The dual waterfalls are meant to drown out the sounds of the city, and create a peaceful haven of remembrance for what was lost.

The pools were surrounded by bronze panels inscribed with the names of nearly 3,000 people who died in the attacks of 2001 and World Trade Center bombing in 1993.

There were a lot of people around the pools but only the sound of the falling water filled in my ears. Flower patterns adorn the names of the deceased, a way to cherish their memory.

Our tour guide, Chen, helped us better understand this painful history and the profound impacts of such tragic events — lost lives, broken families, and lasting psychological trauma of the survivors.

The world today seems embroiled in unrest, from the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war to the Israeli-

Palestinian conflict. Lives are lost every day — parents, children, even newborn babies.

Upholding peace, the common pursuit of humankind, is the responsibility of each country. There is no hope for peace unless every nation and their politicians cherish it.

Ordinary people like you and I can also contribute to world peace, by respecting cultural differences, traditions, and beliefs, and spreading positivity and kindness. Small acts of kindness can create ripple effects that contribute to a more peaceful world.