September 11, 2001
Fourteen years ago, radical Islamic terrorists used four planes filled with fuel to take 2,977 innocent lives. Lives of men, women and children who woke up thinking it was just another day. Their lives were taken and ours were changed forever.
Today we remember September 11th, 2001. Today we remember those who lost their lives. Today we remember those who gave their lives to save others. Today we must remember the promise we made to everyone who perished. We promised we would never forget.
It was just another Tuesday as Americans got up and prepared for another day. It was a beautiful September morning, not a cloud in the sky as the first Boeing 767 headed for its target, the north tower of the World Trade Center. At 8:46 a.m. the first plane hit its target as Americans and the world looked upon the burning tower in horror. Many, including myself thought it impossible that a plane could hit a building on such a clear day. No one could have imagined we were witnessing an attack on American soil. At 9:03 a.m. the worst was imagined as a second Boeing 767 dropped from the sky and hit the south tower of the World Trade Center. At 9:37 a.m. a third plane that had been circling the skies of Washington D.C. dropped and flew into the west side of the Pentagon. An overwhelming sense of helplessness spread across a nation as we witnessed the attacks take place. The news reached passengers of Flight 93 as terrorists took control of their plane. Knowing their fate, but not the target the heroic passengers of Flight 93 rushed the terrorists and ended the terror plot and their lives at 10:07 a.m. as their plane flew into a rural field in western Pennsylvania. Ten minutes before Flight 93 crashed, the south tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m., followed by the north tower at 10:28 a.m. The world as we knew it had just ended and we would be changed forever.
Americans were in shock, we simply could not understand what had just happened. Many wandered around in a daze as they processed the images they just witnessed. One of the most terrifying images was of those individuals jumping from the World Trade Center to escape the flames, knowing they would die on impact, they somehow overcame those fears and jumped. We can only pray we never have to experience that fear and terror first hand. America had just experienced terror on a level never imaged. It was life changing. The images of 9-11 will always be with those who witnessed the horrific event.
A nation is remembered for its actions following a tragedy and our nation stood strong and defiant. Our first responders were heroes and we took every opportunity to show our appreciation. Our military had one mission and that was to hunt down and kill those responsible and they accomplished that goal. Many of our service members died fulfilling that goal, their sacrifice was not in vain. We are the greatest nation on earth because of these sacrifices. We must never forget.
As we look back and remember September 11, 2001 we will realize that we have forgotten. We have forgotten what we promised to those we lost. We have lost our American spirit and patriotism. How can a nation forget the most horrific terror attack on American soil? How can a nation forget the innocents lost that day? As we remember 9-11 we must remember that we stood as one, fought as one and survived because we were a United Nation. Terrorists did not accomplish their goal. We denied them of that because we stood strong, we stood united.
Today is a much different story. Today we are divided as a nation, not because of terrorists or a foreign nation. No, we’re divided because the people we have elected to lead us have failed. We are divided as a nation because our political elite have spread an infectious disease across our nation. They have filled our minds with hatred and we’ve let them. The very heroes we placed on pedestals after 9-11 are now being hunted and killed. Racial tension has spread like wild fire and is being promoted and encouraged by our leadership and the mainstream media. Why?
As we remember 9-11, remember how we pulled together as a nation. Remember those lost and remember the promise we made them. Maybe, just maybe we can find what we have lost over the last 14-years and reignite our sense of patriotism. 2,977 innocent souls did not die in vain, they sparked a renewed love for our nation and we must not allow the political elite to take that from us.
God bless America, our first responders, our military service members and every red blooded American out there.