NEVER FORGET!
September 11, 2001, is a day that lingers in the hearts and minds of many Americans, especially those who were there for the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center.
Almost 3,000 people lost their lives during the attacks at the Twin Towers, Pentagon, and aboard United Airlines Flight 93. Many died in trying to help the injured during the terrorist attacks on our nation, and it’s a day to honor their lives, courage, and memories. It is a day of remembrance.
At 8:46 am ET, American Airlines Flight 11 (traveling from Boston to Los Angeles) hit the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. At 9:03 a.m. ET, United Airlines Flight 175 (traveling from Boston to Los Angeles) hit the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. At 9:37 a.m. ET, American Airlines Flight 77 (traveling from Dulles, Virginia, to Los Angeles) hit the Pentagon Building in Washington. And at 10:03 am. ET, United Airlines Flight 93 (traveling from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco) crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
This day is also a time to show that we will never forget the horrific events that occurred. It was one of the worst days in our American history, in which we saw some of the bravest acts. We learned that the unthinkable could happen and did! It was intended to break our spirit, but instead, we became more unified and stronger.
It showed us that life is so precious of a gift. The fathers, mothers brothers and sisters, the grief, the fire and ash, the last phone calls and the funerals of children. Every life has a purpose, and that we have a responsibility to those that we, Americans and the World NEVER forgets.
Twenty years have passed since a perfect blue sky morning turned into the blackest of nights. Since then, we have lived in sunshine and shadow, although we can never unsee what happened here. We can also see that children who lost their parents have grown into young adults, grandchildren have been born, and good works and public service have taken root to honor those we loved and lost. Please remember that on September 10, 20 years ago, 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning. 343 Firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift. 60 Police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol.
None of them saw past 10:00am September 11, 2001. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today and tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted! In just a single moment, life may never be the same.
Stretch