9/11: THE DAY THAT CHANGED AMERICA

September 10, 2001 a cold front moves through the northeast section of the United States pushing Hurricane Erin farther out to sea away from the coast. 3, 263 people went to sleep in preparation for their next day ahead. 3, 263 people did not see past ten o'clock on September 11, 2001. In just a short time of three hours America as we knew was changed forever. 

Nineteen terrorist associated with the Islamic extremist group Al Qaeda hijacked four airplanes to carry out suicide attacks on targeted locations in the United States. Two of those hijacked planes were crashed into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. As Americans watched one the most devastating day in American history unfold before their eyes in the streets of New York and through media outlets the third plane crashed into our military's headquarters. The plane circled over downtown D.C., before crashing into the Pentagon. These were structures built and designed to withstand two hundred mile per hour winds and not even fifteen minutes after the Pentagon was hit the unimaginable happened... the south tower collapsed and not long after the north tower followed. 

As all of these tragic events were unfolding the fourth plane was delayed in take off. Passengers on this flight had been receiving updates about everything that was happening. They knew when the plane took off they would not be returning to their homes and families. Many made last calls to their loves one to tell them what was happening. The passengers made a decision to fight back they were able to make access to the cockpit where controls was lost and the plane spiraled to the ground crashing in a field. 

Twenty-one years late we have not forgotten and will not forget the lives that was stolen from us that day. We honor the Emergency Workers, Firefighters, Police Officers, Emt's and Paramedics that lost their lives trying to save those in the towers. We also remember the thousands of people that survived. Those who were injured physically but also those who live to this day with the emotional trauma from that day. Our Flag still fly's high, America has recovered from this tragic day, but we will always hold it dear in heart. 

"If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate." - Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 Pilot Jason Dahl in Shanksville, Pennsylvania 2002.