On this day 20 years ago, 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights.
2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning.
343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift.
60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol.
8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift.
None of them saw past 10:00am on September 11, 2001.
We all knew where we were on that morning. The day that the towers fell in New York City, the day that the Pentagon was attacked, and that a small rural town in Somerset County was put on the map for all the wrong reasons.
Where was I that morning?
I was in my math class at the local community college that was attached to the Hiram G. Andrews Center. As I left class that morning, I got word of what’s going on. A plane has hit one of the towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon has sustained extensive damage, and there’s a plane down in a rural town in Somerset County.
I retreated down to my dorm lounge to watch news of the events that had recently unfolded. When the second plane hit the South Tower, I knew it was going to be that kind of day. I knew that our country was being attacked by someone who hated America. Everyone at HGA was called to the cafeteria and the higher ups talked to everyone about what was going on. We were in a panic over what might happen next.
I called home to make sure everyone was safe and they were. The rest of the week felt like a year, as we mounted the losses of those who perished in the attacks. Classes went on, activities continued, and everyone went about their daily lives. Churches opened their doors to those who felt lost or who were questioning their faith over the events of 9/11. Red Cross centers were open to those who wanted to give blood because it was in need.
That Friday was a National Day of Mourning and HGA held an assembly that everyone attended. We sang “God Bless the USA” and proudly displayed our patriotism. That week, whether or not we lost loved ones in the most horrible attack our country has ever seen, we all came together.
Here is the Flight 93 Memorial from Slippery Rock University. This monument was dedicated to graduating class of 2005. They entered The Rock just before the events of September 11, 2001.
In one single moment life may never be the same. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today and tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted.
We will never forget.
Stylish 🍒 