Remembering 9/11

Eight years ago on September 11, 2001 our world changed forever. Nineteen Middle-Eastern men hijacked four jets and crashed them into both the Twin Towers, the west wing of the Pentagon and the fourth plane crashed into a rural field in Shanksville, Pennyslvania. Around 3000 people died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It was the worst attack that the U.S ever experienced on our own soil. The jets that were involved in the crash were American Airlines Flight 11 which crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, United Flight 175 whiched crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, American Flight 77 which crashed into the Pentagon, and United Flight 93 which crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The National Security Agency intercepted communications which indicated Osama bin Laden was behind the attacks. Fifteen of the hijackers were from Saudi Arabia. The others were from the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Egypt. Mohammad Atta who was the pilot that steered American Flight 11 into the North Tower, was the ringleader. On September 27, 2001, the FBI released photos of the identifies of the nineteen hijackers.

I vividly remember the day. It was on a Tuesday morning. The attacks started at around 8:46 a.m EST. I first heard about it right before 10:00 a.m. CST. I was told that there were jets that slammed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a rural field in Pennsylvania. When I first heard about it, the thought came to my mind it was some type of terrorist attack. I didn't know that Al-Qaeda or Osama bin Laden was behind the attack. I never even heard of Al-Qaeda. I remember the week before the United States had sent a delegation to the racism conference in South Africa. The U.S. pulled out their delegation before the conference was over because of derogatory remarks made about Israel. I figured the attacks were a means of vengeance toward the U.S. for pulling out of the conference. That was my first instinct. Then later I found out it was Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden behind the attacks. I remember later on that day as well many vehicles were lining up at convenience stores to purchase gasoline for fears that prices would dramatically rise. Gas prices in my area were $1.49 per gallon. That sounds cheap today. There were a few gas stations in some areas of the country that gouged the prices, but it didn't last long.

I remember there were churches calling for prayer meetings as a result of the attacks. Many Americans banned together because they recognized it was America being attacked--regardless of race, religion, or creed. America was in a state of surprise. Who would've expected it? The Lord allowed for us to see America wasn't invincible. The next day on the 700 Club the late Jerry Falwell was a guest on the show and he blamed the attacks on the abortionists, the gays rights groups, etc. He received some ire for that and shortly afterwards he apologized for his remark. The New York Stock Exchange closed for the remainder of the week due to the attacks. When they opened back up on September 17, 2001, stocks took heavy losses. Not too long after that time, Congress passed the controversial Patriot Act which gave our government sweeping powers to prosecute the "War on Terrorism" and use whatever means possible to find terrorist suspects. The U.S. and NATO launched a war on terrorism in October to rout the Taliban in Afghanistan as well as disrupt Al-Qaeda's network. Even though the war on terrorism hasn't been prosecuted properly, we've been blessed to have not experienced another major attack since that day.

September 11 is now the day where we celebrate Patriot's Day, in honor of all those that bravely gave their lives on that tragic day. All those that were flying on the jets died as well as many in the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. Many of the firefighters in New York died trying to rescue those that were trapped in the World Trade Center. There's been a commemorative stamp made which shows firefighters standing by the rubble of the former World Trade Center. Let's not forget what happened that day and the price that's been paid to preserve our freedoms. Many Americans on that day showed true bravery, including those passagers on United Flight 93. It's been theorized that the intended target for that jet was either the White House or Capitol Hill. However, those passengers on Flight 93 caught word about the other jet crashings so they decided to ban together and thwart the efforts of the hijackers on that plane. Thank God they succeeded and it only crashed into a field in Pennsylvania instead of Capitol Hill or the White House. It was unfortunate all those on Flight 93 perished. Americans have shown over the last two centuries that they can stand to the challenge when necessary. That's what many Americans did on September 11. That's what makes America special. Thank God for those that have bravely stood for and defended America. Amen!