In a few short hours we reach a dreaded milestone in America, the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. On that day, I arrived at work at my usual time, around 7:30 a.m. I greeted co-workers and customers who dropped by to make payments on their school accounts, oblivious to the fact that in less than an hour America would be forever changed.
American Airlines Flight 11 was hijacked by Muslim jihadists and at 8:46 a.m. the plane crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center. News traveled quickly. Someone called to alert us to the news and employees throughout the building gathered around the lobby and dining area televisions. We watched in horror as the events of that day unfolded. Minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., a second plane, United Airlines Flight 173, hit the south tower, confirming suspicions that the first crash was a deliberate attack and not just a tragic accident.
What a dichotomy was taking place! Babies were innocently sleeping in their cribs while we watched people in New York jumping from the burning buildings. Those fortunate enough to escape were frantically running for their lives.
Reeling from the events being witnessed, a third plane crashed into the Pentagon at 9:40 a.m. Nineteen minutes later, we sobbed as the south tower of the World Trade Center collapsed.
It was revealed much later that shortly after 10:00 a.m. several brave passengers on hijacked United Flight 93 stormed the cockpit in an attempt to take back their plane. The plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field around 10:07 a.m., killing all on board. It is believed that the hijackers intended to crash the plane into the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Around 10:30, the north tower of the World Trade Center also crumbled. Air traffic control maps throughout the nation went blank as the FAA grounded all flights.
Four years later I stood above the gaping hole where the twin towers once stood. I shuddered while remembering the day when innocent babies slept while almost 3000 people died..and America's naiveté was stolen.
Copyright 2011 Charlotte Laney
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