Who doesn’t remember what they were doing on September 11th, 2001, around eight o’clock in the morning. I had just left home with my wife Deb to drive her to KCI where she would board a plane to Chicago to attend a conference when we first heard the news on the radio that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers in New York City. Minutes later came news that a second plane had stuck another World Trade Center tower, and now these actions were suspected to be acts of terrorism. Soon the radio station reported that all airplane flights in America were grounded immediately, so we returned home and turned on the television to see the shocking video replays of the United Airlines commercial jets flying right into the sides of the North and South Twin Towers, and then as each tower collapsed to the ground. Later it was learned that another commercial airliner had struck the Pentagon, and a fourth had crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Those are memories of chaos like I have ever experienced and ones I surely will never forget.
In the hours and days after the crashes, we learned of the bravery of the emergency services and security personnel, and other nameless heroes who gave their lives trying to protect and save others. Today we remember all of those nearly 3,000 fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and other loved ones and dear friends lost as the result of those tragic events.
That terrible day too was the deadliest day in US law enforcement history. Of those lost that day, and in the days and years later, 72 brave law enforcement officers unselfishly have given their lives as the result of those attacks in the service of their community. Like other emergency services workers and the unnamed heroes who died during and after the terrorists attacks, these 72 courageous souls ran towards the danger with their brothers and sisters when most ran away.
Today we honor all of those who performed selfless acts of heroism on that fateful day. On every September 11th, let us remember to commemorate in our own time, in the lives of our children, and in future generations – the stories and the memories of those we lost on that day and ensure that they will never be forgotten.
This morning, Deb and I, Major Moser, Captain Hisle, Captain Tennis, and Lieutenant Brim and his wife Shelee attended services at the Cross Points Church at their invitation. This afternoon, members of the Irish American Club of Johnson County hosted a First Responders Picnic at Fire Station 72 for the Shawnee emergency services workers and their families. Both events were fantastic and I very much appreciate the acts of kindness by both organizations on this special day of remembrance.
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