Today, we stop, and remember the lives that were lost from the horrific terrorist attacks that took place 17 years ago. 17 years ago, the lives of many Americans were charged forever as they watched the horror that took place in front of them. 17 years ago, 19 cowardly Islamic terrorists hijacked commercial aircrafts and flew them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. This day always holds a special but deeply saddening place in the hearts of Americans across the nation. For those who don’t know the details of what happened that morning, I’m going to list them down below and then I’ll give a quick story about where I was that morning.

September 11, 2001 began as normal American morning. People going to work, kids going to school, you know, just an ordinary morning in America. However, in airports along the east coast, 19 terrorist make their way through security and board their flights to carry out Osama Bin Laden’s plan. 5 of them Board American Airlines Flight 11 with 87 other passengers and crew bound from Boston to Los Angeles, led by Mohammed Atta. 5 others board United Airlines Flight 175 with 60 other passengers and crew bound from Boston to Los Angeles, led by Marwan Alshehhi. 5 others board American Airlines Flight 77 with 59 other passengers and crew bound from Washington DC to Los Angeles, led by Hani Hanjour. The final 4 board United Airlines Flight 93 with 40 other passengers and crew bound from Newark to San Francisco, led by Ziad Jarrah. At approximately 8:14 am the hijackers aboard flight 11 take control of the plane and turn it towards New York City. At 8:42 am United Flight 175 is hijacked and is turned towards New York City. At 8:46 am American Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. At about 8:51 am American Flight 77 is hijacked and is turned back towards Washington DC. Then at around 9:03 am United Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, and at that moment, many Americans realized that they were under attack. At about 9:30 am United Flight 93 is hijacked and is turned towards Washington DC. Minutes later, American Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon. As this was happening, the Passengers aboard flight 93 were getting word about what was happening and they all soon realized that they either sit quietly and let the plane hit its target or try to take it back. Then at approximately 9:57 am the passengers and crew on Flight 93 begin their assault, and while this was happening, the South Tower falls. After a heroic struggle, flight 93 crashes into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. At 10:28 am, the North Tower collapses. The descriptions don’t do justice to what happened that morning and what people saw.

As for me personally, here is where I was that morning. I was actually 3 years old at the time living in Lawrenceville, Ga, so I don’t actually remember much from day. What I do realize is seeing the second plane hitting the World Trade Center and seeing the towers fall, but of course I had no understanding of what was happening. My parents always describe the day as very vivid, meaning they remember every detail of happened that day, before and after the attacks. That’s about all I got for my personal story, I told you it was short.

This is day that will always be burned into the minds of Americans. I think this day was a major turning point for our nation, as it showed us that we are vulnerable at times but it is in those times that we all unite and defend our nation together. This was perfectly illustrated in flight 93. The passengers and crew were probably scared as anyone could be in that situation, but they put aside that fear came together and fought back specifically to protect their fellow Americans. This is the definition of true heroism and I hope and pray that we Americans can unite on this day, put aside our differences and just honor the lives of those lost that morning. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

Psalms 25:2‭-‬3

If you have a story of about where you were on September September 11th, feel free to comment below.