September 11, 2022
| Tuesday September 11, 2001. A day that many expected to be a normal Tuesday. Citizens woke up making plans for dinner or the weekend. Hurrying to the airport to make it to their flight on time. Rushing through busy traffic to start their shift at work. Planning for meetings. Greeting others in passing. No one could ever anticipate the events that transpired on September 11, 2001. For those of you too young to recall that day, it is hard to describe the mix of feelings that were experienced. There was horror at the destruction that was caused. But there was awe in the bravery and kindness that rose above it. There was shock at the Audacity of evil. But there was gratitude for the heroes and those that opposed it. A day that was supposed to be normal as any other turned into a day of tragedy that we will never forget. 21 years ago this Sunday, nineteen terrorists associated with al-Qaeda, an Islamist extremist group, hijacked four commercial airplanes scheduled to fly from the East Coast to California. At 8:46am five hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into floors 93 through 99 of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The 76 passengers and 11 crew members and hundreds inside of the building were killed instantly. *CANNON SHOOTS* At 9:03am five hijackers crashed United Airlines Flight 175 into floors 77 through 85 of the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Killing all 51 passengers and 9 crew members on board the aircraft and an unknown number of people inside the building. *CANNON SHOOTS* At 9:37am five hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon. Killing 53 passengers and 6 crew members on board as well as killing 125 military and civilian personnel on the ground. *CANNON SHOOTS* At 10:03am four hijackers crashed United Airlines Flight 93 in a field near the town of Shanksville Pennsylvania after passengers and crew members stormed the cockpit. The 33 passengers and 7 crew members on board were killed instantly. This crash site was only 20 minutes flying distance from Washington DC. *CANNON SHOOTS* Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives that day as a result of the brutal attacks. These were men and women who woke up that day never anticipating an attack on their place of work or against this country. Innocent people who were from 90 nations and all walks of life. Today we remember all of those who lost their lives as a result of 9/11. We remember those who showed bravery, honor, and commitment fighting for our country after 9/11. And we celebrate the brave men and women who have worked and continue to work to keep us safe everyday. *PLAYING OF TAPS* |
