Twenty-one years ago on Sept. 11, 2001, horror and fear took complete control of our nation.  Smoke and ash suffocated the crystal clear skies that terrible morning, while the screams of thousands of victims and first responders rang through the streets of lower Manhattan.  

Fires raged and sirens blared as the world seemed to collapse and crumble before the eyes of millions of Americans.

Four airplanes were hijacked by Islamic terrorists on suicide missions. Two of these planes were purposely crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York.  Yet another plummeted into a field in Shanksville, Pa., likely headed toward the White House.  

Finally, the fourth plane struck the heavily guarded Pentagon, which is located in Arlington, Va., just outside Washington, D.C. These tragedies killed an approximate total of 3,000 individuals in a matter of hours.

Even after 21 years, the United States of America will never forget the sacrifices of the many victims on that tragic, fateful day.  On Sept. 11, 2022, Americans from all over the country flocked to the 9/11 Memorial Pools to honor the many lives that were lost on that horrific morning. 

Flowers, candles, miniature American flags, and many other tokens of remembrance adorned the thousands of names emblazoned into the sides of the memorial.  Families of those whose precious lives were stolen prematurely gathered to mourn and honor their loved ones, remembering all of the wonderful memories they had created and shared together.

The insurmountable courage and valor that so many demonstrated on that day of utter insanity and terror is incomprehensible and beautiful, yet incredibly tragic.  

From the resilience and bravery the hundreds of first responders exhibited in New York City as they saved the lives of hundreds, to the daring sacrifices of the 40 brave individuals that deliberately crashed Flight 93 into that field in Shanksville, Pa., the heroism that was displayed on Sept. 11, 2001 will never be forgotten by the inhabitants of the United States of America.