Mostly everyone in the U.S. knows where they were the day the airplanes flew into the north tower of the World Trade Center. For many Americans, it created shock, panic, and fear, but in the end, it would be an event that changed this country forever. Making this country and the citizens of it more patriotic than ever, and above all else created unity.
Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, marks the 20 anniversary of the attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. There were 19 Suicide bombers from the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda. The terrorists Hijacked four commercial airlines, the first two airplanes were deliberately flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The third plane was flown into the Pentagon building in Arlington, Va. The fourth plane was flown into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to take the plane back from the terrorists. The attacks killed 2,977 people from 93 nations: 2,753 people were killed in New York; 184 people were killed at the Pentagon, and 40 people were killed on Flight 93.
Twenty years later, we remember the victims and the many heroes of that day.
“I remember I was teaching that day and I got a phone call that one of the little girls in my class, her aunt was in tower two. Her aunt was talking on the phone with her husband, she was trying to get out of the building, then the phone went dead. That was the last time he talked to her,” said Nancy Hankey, a local grade school teacher.
Today that little girl is 25, Hankey still stays in touch with the family.
“The mom started a charity called Secret Smiles which is 20-years in the making; today it gives beds to kids that need them,” said Hankey.
Local morning radio program, 107.7 asked their listeners to share what they remember from 9/11 on the station’s Facebook page.
“I was online at home doing school work for Sinclair. I had the TV on in the next room for noise and heard them break-in for a special report. I was glued to the TV and as I watched, I couldn’t believe it was happening and then seen the 2nd plane hit the other tower. I started crying and couldn’t believe I was watching real life and not a movie. I didn’t leave the TV for hours. And then hearing about the other planes crashing and one into the pentagon. I just wanted to get my son who was in school and my husband home from work. And hold them tight,” shared Norma Cooper. “It was so eerie when all planes were grounded, I will never forget how scared and sad I was that day. And still am,” she concluded.
Other listeners shared what they remember of the attacks.
“I was sitting at a welcome desk at a 2000+ student high school, and you could have heard a pin drop. I will never forget,” shared Betty Koeppl Schlievert.
Many more listeners would chime in on what they remembered from Sept. 11, 2001. Some even often some words of advice.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,”said George Santayana, Spanish philosopher.
The attacks on the World Trade Center 20-years ago were no doubt a pivotal moment for this country, where many lives were lost. Each year New York holds a day of remembrance ceremony to honor the lives lost along with the first responders; this celebration is a time for loved ones to mourn their losses, and for Americans to never forget what happened all those years ago.
Diane Sikora
Reporter