Our lives changed irrevocably 25 years ago. We will never forget the sheer disbelief and shock of watching planes fly into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, the gaping hole in the Pentagon, so close to our capital city, or the billowing smoke from the downed Flight 93 plane in a Pennsylvania field.
Despite the shock and the grief, people across the country responded. First responders – the police, the firefighters, the paramedics, the nurses, the doctors, and even neighbors and strangers – rallied to help those trapped in the buildings. A few days later, our soldiers stepped in and took the flag. They responded to the call to protect our citizens and combat the hatred toward our nation and our citizens.
Responding to the call changed these men and women irrevocably. Many came home wounded; many did not come home. Even after 25 years, never forget. Never forget people like John Yates, who crawled through smoke in the Pentagon halls to make it to the inner courtyard. Never forget men like Dan Gubler who lost an arm and had damaged eyesight due to an IED in the Iraq. Never forget men like Scott Lundell who came back from Operation Enduring Freedom in a flag-draped coffin.
These are some of warriors we know who were forever changed by the events on September 11, 2001. Nearly 3,000 people died on 9/11 due to hatred and terrorism. There are thousands of families with their own memories of those who perished and those who responded and those who defended.
I hope all of us learn of and remember their sacrifices. I hope all of us remember their families’ sacrifices. The brave and strong and committed members of our communities and our military never flagged in their sworn duty.
September 11 was horrific, shocking, and appalling. As a nation, we were all changed by the events of that day. Now, on the 25th anniversary of the attacks on our country, we remember to honor the loss of innocent lives and those who served in response. They lived the history we now commemorate.
By Colleen K. Hales
Return to Base, Missouri blog writer
