We Remember 9/11
4 Years
ago - We Changed
by Leah Kessler,
Columnist
09.11.05 America has been through many conflicts, since its formation. We broke through the chains of Tyranny from Great Britain during the America Revolution. We were engulfed in a struggle to keep the nation together, during the Civil War. In the 1900’s we entered the first and second world wars. We were bombed at Pearl Harbor, suffering devastating losses to our military. Throughout time, America has always prevailed, and never backed down from the pride that we all share.
In the 1980’s a new threat would give face to a new type of war, tragedy and suffering. Country-targeted terrorism would be started in the Middle East, and we would be dealing with something far different then we have ever dealt with before in America’s history.
At 8:46 a.m. American Flight 11 was flown from Boston into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Shock was heard throughout the streets of New York City as thousands of people stopped their daily lives to look at the devastating image. At this point during the day, everyone was confused, and it was looked at as a bizarre and tragic accident. Then, United Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the South Tower of the world Trade Center.
At this point in time, we knew we were under attack and America would never be the same again. Shortly after the second crash, U. S Federal Aviation Administration would shut down all the New York area airports.
At around 9:30 a.m., American Flight 77 would crash into the Pentagon, and United Flight 93 would go down in Pennsylvania shortly after. Perhaps one of the most shocking images that people will never forget is the one of the South Tower collapsing. Screams and shouts were heard in the streets as people fled the city at the risk of being buried by the rubble of the tallest buildings in America.
At 10:28 a.m. the skyline of New York City would be gone. Portions of the Pentagon would also collapse, and questions of the direction of Flight 93 would arise.
President George W. Bush, who was reading to a class in Sarasota, Florida, would hear of the World Trade Center collapse through whispers from a member of his administration. At 9:30 am the President of the United States would address the nation deliver the worst news a country could ever hear “an apparent terrorist attack and a national tragedy.”
He would place America on high alert and the next days surrounding the shocking and tragic events of the attack that we all so vividly remember.
Perhaps one of the hardest parts of the attacks on America would be not knowing the culprit behind the attacks. On September 13th, 2001, Secretary of State Colin Powell would name Osama Bin Laden, a leader of a terrorist group called Al Qaeda, as the prime suspect in the September 11th attacks.
Al Qaeda had become an enemy of the United States since their first rise to power in Afghanistan. They would attempt a bombing on the World Trade Center in 1993, and continue to make threats to the freedom of the American people.
The U.S. would later be certain that Al Qaeda was responsible and Bush would send a warning to Afghanistan, telling them to hand over Bin Laden or risk massive assault.
Weeks later the United States Government would know the names and faces of the terrorist, and the ones who carried out the assault. We would eliminate Al Qaeda power in Afghanistan, and continue to work at defeating terrorism, wherever it may be.
Perhaps one of the most important things that followed September 11th would be the way America changed. You would see car’s being driven in the streets with American flags on them, and the pride of America would never be as strong. The Pledge of Allegiance was said in schools again, and people began to talk of hope and the original means of America.
The vast majority of the American people wanted revenge and would do just about anything for it.
When Richard Gere would speak of “peace and no-conflict,” at a World Trade Center concert, he would be booed by the voices of the American people. “We will never forget September 11th, 2001, or it’s victims.” Murals, and aid would be given to the families of loved ones who had been murdered by enemies of America, and the people would give them support and show their support for years to come.
September 11th, 2001 would be the most tragic day in American history.
Some of the world’s most shocking images and most hysterical cries would come from that day. “Never doubt America’s resolve,” George Bush would tell the people. And the people of America would understand freedom more then ever, and what it truly means to unite. America prevailed, and America grew stronger.
May those who died on September 11th, 2001, never be forgotten.
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