Remembering 9/11/01 - We Will Never Forget
Most of us can remember exactly where we were and exactly what we were doing when we learned a plane had struck the World Trade Center in Manhattan, NY. For many of us, time stood still. As we watched the terror unfold, our hearts were crushed.
On September 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two of the planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people were killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which triggered major U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism and defined the presidency of George W. Bush.
On September 11, 2001, at 8:45 a.m. on a clear Tuesday morning, an American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more in higher floors.
As the evacuation of the tower and its twin got underway, television cameras broadcasted live images of what initially appeared to be a freak accident. Then, 18 minutes after the first plane hit, a second Boeing 767—United Airlines Flight 175—appeared out of the sky, turned sharply toward the World Trade Center and sliced into the south tower near the 60th floor.
The collision caused a massive explosion that showered burning debris over surrounding buildings and onto the streets below. It immediately became clear that America was under attack.
For most of us, our hearts and minds were changed forever that morning. Life will never be the same after that day. We are now more vigilant and aware, which is both encouraging and deeply sad at the same time. Today marks 17 years since this horrific day in American history, but we must be reminded of the patriots that worked hard and many who ultimately gave their lives for us and our freedoms that day. Through the suffering and loss of thousands of people, we unite as a country and hold strong in our hearts. While we will never celebrate the lives lost, we will celebrate the strength and unity of a nation as we all came together and worked to protect our great land from further attack. So on this day, we show our honor to all the 9/11 patriots by wearing our red, white and blue. We stand, BLINGfully showing our love of country and our resolve to never, EVER forget those we lost on that fateful day 17 years ago. We will NEVER forget.
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