Patriot Day

September 11, 2024

 

September 11, 2001, is a day that will never be forgotten by Americans. That was the terrible day when Islamist terrorists hijacked and weaponized four large commercial jets in an attack on the United States of America.

 

The attack had the opposite effect from what the terrorist organization al-Qaeda had hoped for. Americans became United in a way that hadn’t been seen since the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor a half century earlier. People from both sides of the political isle joined together. Citizens from all classes, occupations, races, and religions stood behind our leaders. The whole world was reminded of the true strength of the American people.

 

The Attack

 

At 8:46 AM a Boeing 767 crashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower in Manhattan, New York City, NY. Americans were drawn to their televisions to see the building burn, with broadcasting networks unsure what caused the explosion. At 9:03 another 767 crashed into the South Tower with the free nation watching.

 

First responders and volunteers came from miles away to help.

 

A Boeing 757 crashed into the Pentagon, (the headquarters for the Department of Defense) at 9:37 AM. At that point it was clear that our trade and military was under attack. At 9:59 the South Tower collapsed, live on TV. The North Tower fell twenty-nine minutes later. Thousands of police, firefighters, and EMS workers perished.

 

Word of the attack reached the hostages on board Flight 93, which was schedule for San Fransisco but had been redirected by the terrorists toward our nation’s capital. The passengers revolted against their captors and crashed the plane into an empty field in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania. By destroying the 757 (and themselves) rather than allowing the terrorists to use it as a weapon, those brave passengers saved countless lives and became heroes.

 

Afterward

 

America experienced an extended period of heightened patriotism following the 911 attack. America the Beautiful, God Bless America, and The Star-Spangled Banner were sung at events everywhere. Even today, twenty-three years later, our nation is more united. Just say, September 11, and watch Americans clench their fists. Our resolve remains. Even the hint of an attack on our soil brings us together.

 

On October 25, 2001, Representative Vito Fossella from New York introduced a resolution to designate September 11 as Patriot Day. The resolution was passed by the U. S. House on December 18 and later signed by President George W. Bush. As a result, all U.S. flags are to be flown at half-staff every September 11, a moment of silence is to be observed at 8:46 AM EST (the time the first hijacked airplane crashed into the World Trade Center), and ceremonial memorial services are to be conducted.

 

Today’s Memorial

 

We honor the heroes of September 11. We commend the remarkable people who ran into burning buildings to help. We recognize those who treated the survivors on the dusty smoke-filled streets. We acknowledge the heroes who dug through smoldering ruins in search of anyone who was still alive. We celebrate those who made it out as well as those who selflessly gave their lives that day. And we thank them all.