Eighteen years ago the world as we know it was changed dramatically.
At 8:46 a.m. EST, five hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into the northern façade of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. At 9:03 a.m. EST, another five hijackers crashed United Airlines Flight 175 into the southern façade of the South Tower. Five hijackers flew American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. EST. A fourth flight, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh, at 10:03 a.m. EST after the passengers fought the four hijackers. Flight 93’s target is believed to have been either the Capitol or the White House.
The attacks caused the deaths of 2,996 people and the injuries of more than 6,000 others. The death toll included 265 on the four planes, from which there were no survivors; 2,606 in the World Trade Center and in the surrounding area; and 125 at the Pentagon. While most of those who perished were civilians, 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, 55 military personnel and the 19 terrorists also died in the attacks. More than 90 countries lost citizens in the September 11 attacks.
Please take a moment today to remember the lives that were lost and the heroic effort made by the first responders who perished trying to save others. Also please take a moment to reflect on all of the families that were impacted by these losses and the people who continue to be impacted as a result of their support to the rescue and recovery effort at that time.
Never forget…