Editor: Commemorating September 11, 2001 — Honoring the Heroes and Remembering the Lives Lost

Overview: On September 11, 2001, coordinated terrorist attacks claimed nearly 3,000 lives across New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, permanently reshaping modern geopolitics, domestic security, and aviation protocols. Each year, global commemorations honor the victims, their families, and the remarkable courage of first responders who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. Decades later, the tragedy continues to stand as a solemn testament to collective grief, national resilience, and the enduring obligation to educate future generations on the lasting impacts of that day.

Honoring the Lives Lost, the Bravery of First Responders, and the Enduring Global Impact Decades After 9/11

I was never a TV person, so I had jazz music blasting on my stereo. At the time I was a landlord, so I had the luxury of being a bit obnoxious with my music toward my tenants in my building. But I digress!

My best buddy hit me up, it had to be around 10 in the morning; I was a nurse tech at an AIDS Hospice, so I had to be on the floor by 11. She told me to turn on my television, someone just slammed into my favorite Twin Towers.

I told her I didn’t have time for her jokes about my World Trade Center twin towers in New York City. I loved the buildings, I even had an architecture book with the towers on the cover.

As I watched the book, that was sitting under my stereo shelf. I turned on my television, and quickly CNN was covering the smoky ruins of the towers.

I was so horrified, just as much as I was full of anxiety with Covid-19. I couldn’t believe someone would be so cruel to harm the building and the thousands of people that could be in there.

My fear became sympathy, as I prayed that the people got out safety. But that wouldn’t happen, as I witness people jumping off the 110 story buildings.

What do you say to your children about 9/11?

I sat there in my living room with my keys in my hand. It was a nice sunny September, as it is now today, 24 years later. The first thing I did was called in from work, and rushed to see my mom.

My mom was the most comforting and strong person I knew. Here I was that year, a big hulk of a man, and needing my mom.

When I saw her, she was so sad, she had seen the news as well. She knew I had to work, so she was hoping I was at work and not stressing.

9/11 bought the nation together as one. Everyone became related to each other; no racial tensions or bad vibes.

We were a loving nation breaking our necks to console one another. It took me days to even get back to work.

In addition, it was horrifying to watched as the horror of seeing those people screaming and begging to get out of those burning buildings. There also was coverage of the New York residents rushing to get away from the area of debris and devastation.

The world was full of anxiety, and didn’t know what to expect, I don’t think President Bush or the world knew what was next. But we made it through, as professional baseball in NYC resumed on September the 21st, with a game in Flushing, New York, between the NY Mets and the Atlanta Braves.

There were other building hit in the USA, including the Pentagon. So, we as Americans were faced with a lot of destruction and over 2,500 fatalities that year.

The USA was crushed into a million pieces on September 11th, and there were finger pointing going every which way they could. Life moved on slowly and several memorials remind us that we must stay strong and get through the madness.

With other viral headlines making waves, please take the time out today to remember those who lost their life in this horrific act of terrorism.

#NeverForget #September11 #911Remembrance #NeverForget911 #PatriotDay #911Anniversary #Remembering911 #Heroes #Unity #NeverForgetHistory