9/11: 17 Years Later for America, for Us

Written by: Jaymi Firestone

For Americans who watched the news on the morning of September 11, 2001, the horror of terrorism unfolding is imprinted in our minds.

And as many watched smoke and flames billow out of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, we witnessed another plane crash into the South Tower.

It was a sight that was indescribably horrifying. Lives hanging in the balance as America watched in disbelief.

And then in what seemed like mere seconds, two massive, seemingly indestructible buildings crumbled to dust and debris, while the world watched.

It was a day that knocked America to its knees. A day that some say overshadowed even the worst tragedies in American history. 2,977 people were killed in the attacks. For family members of those who lost their lives, and those who were fortunate enough to have survived, it seems all too fresh in their memory, even though it’s 17 years later. It was a day that we can never forget.

“Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.”

– President George W. Bush (9/11 Address to the Nation)

The memory of 9/11 doesn’t exist for today’s students though. High School students are studying this terrorist attack as history. Most weren’t even born when the World Trade Center towers fell. To these students, the events of September 11, 2001 are simply history, just like Pearl Harbor or the Oklahoma City Bombing.

Even for those of us who watched in horror that day, memories have begun to fade as the years tick by. We’ve continued living our every day lives. One World Trade Center stands at Ground Zero, alongside the memorials, and the attack has become history, as every other tragedy does.

Thankfully, there are still many Americans trying to keep the memory alive of those we lost on that tragic day in 2001.

Locally, J.P. Stone Community Bank is providing a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony to remind our community of those who died, those who were never recovered, those who deserve to never be forgotten.

On September 11 at 7:30 A.M. around the flagpole at J.P. Stone Community Bank, a 30-minute Ceremony will take place. Everyone is invited to attend.

The ceremony will feature a military color guard from our very own, Cannon Air Force Base 27th Special Operations Wing.

Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Deputy Malin Parker will be this year’s guest speaker, and ENMU Freshman, Amy Carter will perform patriotic music.

It is a time David Stone, Bank President, began in 2002 to ensure the tragic events of that day will never be forgotten, and that our local and nationwide first responders and military members are appreciated and honored.

“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. Today, our nation saw evil — the very worst of human nature — and we responded with the best of America.”