Patriot Day: A day to never be forgotten

 Sunday, Sept. 11, is Patriot Day.  

It is a day when Islamic terrorists brought havoc to the United States as they attacked planned targets in New York City and Washington D.C using commercial airliners. 

The horrific events took place 21 years ago and still lingers in the minds of many Americans, especially those old enough to remember.  

This day will always be remembered when the citizens of this nation experienced an enormous range of emotions from surprise, to fear, sadness, disgust and anger. 

Throughout history there have been many occurrences that have been recorded for us to remember and the events that took place on Sept. 11, 2001 is certainly one that fits at the top of that list. 

It all happened on a beautiful, clear late-summer morning as people across this nation were beginning their day’s work or activities. 

At 8:46 a.m., eastern time, American Airline Flight 11 that was in route from Boston, Massachusetts to Los Angeles, California, overtaken by Islamic jihadist flew sacrificially into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.

Many at first thought this was a tragic accident, but 17 minutes later, United Airlines Flight 175, bound from Boston to Los Angeles and also commandeered by jihadist crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. 

At this point, after hearing of the first airliner crashing into the WTC many Americans across this country watched in disbelief on national television as the second airliner crashed into the South Tower.  

The horror continued to unfold, when nearly an hour later (9:37 a.m. EST) when a third airliner, American Airlines Flight 77, from Washington Dulles airport to Los Angeles flew into the Pentagon in Washington D.C.  

It now became apparent to American citizen the realization that war had reached the U.S. homeland and our nation was under attack.

With all this happening, a fourth airliner, United Airlines Flight 93, took off from Newark, New Jersey destined for San Francisco, California.

It also was hijacked by a group of terrorists, who rerouted the plane from its destination back to Washington D.C. with the intent of flying it into either Capitol or the White House. 

However, after the passengers on AA 93 heard of the events taking place that morning, joined forces and in act of bravery overtook the plane.

Unfortunately, the plane crashed at 10:03 a.m. EST in a wooded field at Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

All perished, but the bravery of those passengers prevented the success of the fourth attack and perhaps united this country to fight the War on Terror.  

The tragedy of the morning continued when we were all awestruck watching the Twin Towers of World Trade Center collapse into a rubble by 10:30 a.m. EST. and knowing that many individuals were still inside the buildings.

As the day unfolded, we learned that the attacks were the result of Al-Qaeda terrorists and mastermind by their leader Osama Bin Laden.

In all, nearly 3,000 lives were lost, including 343 New York City firefighters and 60 NYC police officers, and leaving many families torn apart in losing a father, mother, child, or other relative and friends.

The day has become known as Patriot Day and is held to commemorate the tragedy that rocked our nation. 

On Patriot Day, the United States Flag is flown at half staff at the White House as well as all U.S. government buildings around the world in respect for those who died on that fateful Sept. 11, 2001 day. 

American citizens are also asked to display the flag at their homes. 

Although the day is not a federal holiday, many people observe it by holding a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. EST to mark the time when the first plane flew into the World Trade Center. 

In addition, many communities conduct special church and prayer services to remember the day.   

As legendary country western singer/song writer, Alan Jackson, wrote the lyrics, “Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day.”

It’s a day that should never be forgotten.

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Patriot Day should not be confused with Patriots’ Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. 

These were the first battles of the American Revolutionary War and the states of  Massachusetts and Maine observe the day on the third Monday in April.