On the morning of September 11, 2001, people were doing what they normally do, such as going to work and school, and were not in fear of a terrorist act that would take the lives of almost 3,000 people and injure 25,000. I think it is safe to say that most people, especially those living in the United States can remember this day twenty years ago. The events that took place were life-altering, chilling, and heart-wrenching, and were unnecessary. For some reason, what took place today two decades ago does not make sense to me but fills my mind with many questions that I know I will never have the answers to.

Considering this day continues sending chills down my spine, I think it is crucial to remember the events and cherish our lives. For each time frame of the events, I am going to share with you, I can remember exactly where I was, what I was doing, and what took place over for days, weeks, months, and years afterward. Do not worry, I will not go too in-depth, but will share just the key points.

In Boston, MA at Logan International Airport, American Airlines flight 11 departed 14 minutes late at 7:59 AM with 81 passengers and 11 crew members with their destination being Los Angeles International Airport. Sadly, at 8:46 AM, this airplane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. When the news interrupted the radio station I was listening to with this tragic news, I thought there must have been a mistake, or I did not hear what was said correctly because all I could think was how could a plane crash into a building.

Another flight, American Airlines flight 175 departed 14 minutes late at 8:14 AM from the Logan International Airport in Boston, MA with a destination of Los Angeles International Airport. This flight had 56 passengers and 9 crew members on board, which crashed at 9:03 AM into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

As the news had not yet registered into the minds of people around the world, the terrifying news did not end and there was further devastating news to come. A third plane, American Airlines flight 77 that had 56 passengers and 6 crew members departed 10 minutes late from Washington Dulles International Airport and bound for Los Angeles International Airport. This plane crashed into the Western side of the Pentagon at 9:37 AM.

Unfortunately, most people are extremely worried about the lives of their families and trying to call them, but the cell towers were in overdrive and calls were not able to connect. This only created mass chaos because no one knew if there was going to be another plane crashing into another building and where it might happen. Large cities around the country were on alert, which considering at that time I was living in a large city with tall buildings I was panicking.

A fourth plane, United Airlines flight 93 that had 37 passengers and 7 crew members on board departed 42 minutes late from Newark International Airport, now called Newark Liberty Airport bound for San Francisco International Airport. It was later determined that the passengers on this flight had learned what happened at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and were trying to overpower the hijackers on board. Due to a fight in the cockpit, this flight crashed at 10:03 AM Southeast of Pittsburgh in Somerset Pennsylvania. It is not known where this plane’s target was, but it is believed the target was either the White House or the United States Capitol building.

There are many reasons the events of this day do not make sense to me. The United States has one of the strongest militaries in the world. The United States has fighter jets that can reach Mach 6.72 or 4,520 mph, which is more than five times the speed of sound. The reason the fighter jets were not scrambled to defeat these terrorist acts was disturbing because they were taking part in Exercise Vigilant Guardian. Why is it on the day the country is under attack, the fighter jets are doing an exercise and unable to intercept and put an end to this attack?

On the 20^th anniversary of the 9/11 attack on the United States, we need to remember the almost 3,000 people that lost their lives and the 25,000 people that suffered injuries. The people that were on the scene after these devastating events took place put their lives in danger to try to save the lives of others, which I do believe is heroic. We should also remember that people lost loved ones during this time, and some are still battling the effects of this 20 years later.

Thank you for visiting my site today. I know this is a rather sad post, but this is something we should keep in our hearts. I hope your weekend has begun the way you wanted, and you stay safe with anything you do over the weekend. As always, I do look forward to the opportunity to read your comments and I will respond to them as quickly as I can. Please never forget that I am always sending y’all LOTS of love, comfort, support, and MANY positive vibes!

Always, Alyssa