On, Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 8:45 a.m., an American Airlines Boeing 767 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, instantly killing hundreds on impact.
This terrible tragedy appeared to most as an awful accident on its own, but nearly 20 minutes later, a second United Airlines Boeing crashed into the second tower of the World Trade Center. It immediately became clear that this was no accident.
While America focused on the horrific events unfolding in New York, another American Airlines flight was headed for our nation’s capital. Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon at 9:45 a.m.
A fourth plane was hijacked, but its plans were derailed when the passengers and flight attendants fought the plane’s hijackers causing the plane to crash in a field in rural Pennsylvania. All 45 people on board were killed. The plane’s intended target is unknown.
According to CNN, 2,977 people died as result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Approximately 2,753 of those victims were at the World Trade Center Site. An astonishing 343 of those who perished were New York City firefighters, the most firefighters killed at one time in America history. 23 more were New York City police officers.
At the Pentagon, 184 people were killed, including 125 military personnel and civilians. According to CNN, as of September 2015, only 1,640 of 2,753 World Trade Center victims’ remains have been positively identified.
We didn’t write all of this just to give you a history lesson. We here at The Pacer encourage you all on this 14th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks to not only remember that day, but to think especially of those who lost their lives. Remember those selfless firefighters who went in on their day off. When you think of them, think of our local service people. Their job is not an easy one. We are so grateful for the men and women who bravely and willingly risk their lives daily for us. Let us honor the memory of our fallen heroes by taking time to appreciate the heroes that we have here and now.
