This year’s September 11 marks the tenth anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in the history of the United States. Many people remember where they were and what they were doing the moment they heard that a plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Mr. Searway was getting ready for work and had the news channel on. He tuned in after the second plane crashed and didn’t know about the first plane, leading him to believe that it was an accident. He called his wife over to the television and said, “You have got to see this. You won’t believe it.” He continued on to work and watched the events at school.
As for me, I was five years old and attending first grade that morning. My mother sent my grandmother to pick me up early and take me to her house. Only after all the children at my mother’s school had gone home, was she allowed to leave. She picked me up at once and we hurried home to watch the terror unfold.
On September 11, 2001, at approximately 8:46 AM, East Coast time, NORAD Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The world seemed to stand still. About the time it took for people to gather themselves, United Airways Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center at 9:03 AM.
Anthony Vangueli, a 91st floor survivor said, “When the second one hit, we knew it was on purpose. This wasn’t an accident.” This was about 7:03 AM Pacific Standard Time. By this time, most people on the West Coast were on their way to work or school and aware of the first plane, but not the second one.
The nation was in utter shock. Many feared other attacks across the United States. At approximately 9:38 AM, Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. It seemed like the terror would never end. Around 9:59 AM, the South Towercollapsed. At 10:10 AM, Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania after the passengers wrenched control from the terrorists, saving the Capitol Building from an attack. Finally, around 10:28 AM, the North Tower collapsed.
The day of September 11, 2001 will forever be remembered in our nation’s history. On that day, the people of the United States forgot all of their differences and stood together as a united nation. The amount of volunteerism and patriotism that resulted from that awful day was astounding. Everyone should remember how united we stood and strive to keep it that way.
