20 Years Since 9/11
Twenty years ago we were attacked by the same people who just overtook Afghanistan again. For twenty years our armed forces have worked with the people of Afghanistan to give them more freedoms and now everything is returning to the way things were. Women didn’t have rights then, now many women broadcasters are being silenced. Our president abandoned Americans and allies in the country as he withdrew our military. Veterans have been working to get these people out using their own funds.
Today marks twenty years since Americans watched in horror as four planes were hijacked by nineteen al Qaeda killing 2,977 people in New York, Washington D.C., and outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Many Americans can recall where they were when they heard or watched the events unfold.
“The Day the World Stopped Turning”
I remember I was driving to work. At the time, I worked at the Ponchatoula, Louisiana Hancock Bank and I was on Hwy 55 listening to the radio. The announcer reported a plane just crashed into the World Trade Center. Before he could say more on the report I heard “Oh my God there is another plane that just hit the second tower.”
To tell the truth, I didn’t know where the World Trade Center was located. All I knew is years before there was a bomber who tried to blow it up.
When I arrived at work, I told my coworkers who had not heard the news. The branch manager pulled out a TV into the lobby and we watched in horror at the events that had taken place.
After grieving and going through the stages of grief, Americans came together as patriots. Purchasing guns to keep in their homes, joining the military to fight against the people who attacked us. Songs were produced, movies have been made, and the memories remain with everyone who witnessed these events.
In New York, at the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, 2,753 people were killed between the two planes crashing into the towers, the firemen, policemen, World Trade Center workers, and Port Authority workers. Victims of this attack ranged in ages from 2 years old to 85 years old.
The plane that hit the Pentagon in Washington D.C. claimed the lives of 184 people. While the plane that crashed outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania killed 40 passengers and crew members. The crew members fought for control of the plane and it did not hit its intended target.
Children Today Taught Differently About 9/11/2001
Today, they are trying to change history. Teachers are told to not call the al Qaeda terrorist. When that is indeed what they were and still are considered today. Al Qaeda was lead by Osama bin Laden who eventually was killed by Navy Seals a little under 10 years after the attack on May 2, 2011. The Taliban who were over Afghanistan during the September 11, 2001 attacks harboured al Qaeda, which is why the US helped in taking over the country.
A few weeks ago as the news was covering the Americans and allies still trying to get out of Afghanistan, my 11-year old cousin was visiting. I asked her if she knew about the significance of what was happening on the television. When she answered no, I told her about what happened 20 years ago and how what is happening today is connected. She asked if any children were killed and I told her, yes but I did not remember how many at that moment. Now I know 8 children lost their lives that day.
September 11th is a day I will never forget and the children in my life will know the facts of that day. I won’t sugar coat it or try to hide the bits of information from that day.
My thoughts and prayers will always be with the family members and friends who lost loved ones that day.
Where were you on September 11, 2001, when the “World Stopped Turning”?