17 years ago today, the United States was attacked by terrorists who flew hijacked commercial planes into the World Trade Center, Pentagon and into a field in Shanksville, PA. The latter was the result of passengers fighting back, after they became aware of the tragic outcomes of three other hijacked flights that morning. The last plane was reportedly also headed to Washington, DC. It is a dark day in American history; The attacks killed 2,996 people, injured over 6,000 others, and caused at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage. Additional people died of 9/11-related cancer and respiratory diseases in the months and years following the attacks. It was the was the deadliest day in history for New York City firefighters: 343 were killed.
It is fitting that we remember the innocent victims and the loved ones they left behind. It was a day of unspeakable evil and we need to always remember the victims and the incredible heroism of the first responders. I also am often reminded of quiet bravery of the shattered survivors who lost a loved one and carried on. God bless them all.
