9/11 Memorial

                On September 11^th, 2001, one of the biggest tragedies in the history of the Unites States occurred. The Twin Tours in the World Trade Center were ruthlessly destroyed by a terrorist group led by none other than Osama Bin Laden. In the chaos that followed, more than 3,000 families suffered the deaths of loved ones. From the rubble that remained afterward, only about 300 people were rescued. And Thus, the day that we all remember as 9/11, became a grim reminder of the sadness evoked by that particular day, the day where someone lost their spouse, or their fiancé, or their father, or their mother, or their child, or their friend. A day that we would be careless to forget.

                At 8:45 AM Tuesday morning, September 11, a commercial jet crashed into one of the twin towers, leaving a burning hole in the top floors. This first crash instantly trapped many people in the top floors, obliterating any chance of evacuation, meanwhile, hundreds others in the area of the impact, died immediately. What initially appeared to be an accident, was only worsened when 18 minutes later, a second plane crashed into the World Trade Center. This time, a massive explosion occurred that brought on the collapse of one of the twin towers, causing remains and debris to fall onto the streets of New York City.

 

                The attackers were learned to be Islamic terrorists from Saudi Arabia, and several other Arab nations. This event was actually reportedly financed by the fugitive Osama Bin Laden’s terrorist organization. Some of the terrorists had taken flying classes in the US for over a year, while others smuggled box-cutter knives into the planes and managed to take control of the planes, which had been set for the route of California. Since these jets had enough fuel for the transcontinental journey, they were ideal for the mission these terrorists had.

 

                There came more planes. And unrivaled acts of bravery from passengers that prevented a fourth plane crash into an important area. 9/11 brought out America's worst fears and amplified them, leading even the president to (years later) direct an assassination intended for the person who endorsed the whole incident. The impact of 9/11 still affects every one of us, people who weren't even involved, thirteen years later.

Reflection:
Prior to writing this, I watched a video based on the phone calls and voicemails people sent to their loved ones in their time of crisis. It is unbelievably painful to watch these documentaries, unbelievably horrifying and difficult to watch without shedding a tear. I feel so dead after seeing what happened. I don't think that I can ever look at 9/11 the same way ever again. And I just hope, I hope that I never have to endure the same pain that so many families coped with and still cope with.