Today the nation reflects on the 20 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks gripped the nation in fear. The day that hijackers crashed planes into the two towers of New York’s World Trade Center, into the Pentagon, and had hijacked a passenger plane that crashed into a Shanksville, Pennsylvania field.
People woke up that morning, just like any other day, but by the end of the day, almost 3,000 people had lost their lives. In New York City, 2,606 people died either inside the towers or on the ground nearby. Only 60 percent of the people that perished at the World Trade Center have been identified to date.
At the Pentagon, 125 people were killed.
All 39 passengers aboard Flight 93 were killed when it crashed into the Pennsylvania field. The passengers courageously took down the planers before it could reach Washington D.C.
Thousands more were injured or later developed long-term illnesses. Many of those who helped with clean-up at Ground Zero continues to develop health issues.
In the 20 years since we’ve fought wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the mastermind behind the attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, has been captured, and American life was changed forever. Security was tightened following the terrorist attacks, forever changing air travel.
Immediately following the attacks, there was palpable fear from what happened, and it gripped us all. But not just fear, we were angry too. How could someone violate us so completely?
At the time, it united us all. American flags were everywhere. But 20 years later, we stand as divided as ever.
“We have seen growing evidence that the dangers to our country can come, not only across borders but from violence that gathers within,” former President George W. Bush said during a ceremony in Shanksville. “There is little cultural overlaps between violent extremists abroad and violent extremists at home … they are children of the same foul spirit, and it is our continuing duty to confront them.”
Reflecting back on that day serves as a reminder that unity is possible in America. It helps us to remember what is truly important in life. And to count our blessings.
