The Terrorist 9/11/01 Attack on the United States

“...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 - with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could…”

— President George W. Bush, 9/11/01

"The unthinkable happened today. The World Trade Center, both towers, gone."

— ABC News, 9/11/01

“You can be sure that the American spirit will prevail over this tragedy.”

— Colin Powell

From Bush, the major news agencies, and the military leaders like Colin Powell, our citizens were unable to fathom the 9/11/01 attacks on Lower Manhattan,

Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. During this beautiful, sunny day, as Americans were going to work and putting their children on school buses, terrorists boarded several planes with the deadly intentions of devastating the United States. At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. With people watching television reports and unsure what was occurring, eighteen minutes later, United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower. Immediately, Governor George Pataki issued orders for the entire state military forces to be mobilized, trading at the New York Stock Exchange was suspended, and Rescue Workers traveled from home into Lower Manhattan.

Quickly responding, the New York City Fire and Police Departments ordered their agencies to move directly to the World Trade Center to help these people. There are stories and pictures of firemen in full gear with the eyes of determination to help others during the height of this immense crisis. Within the top floors, strangers formed chains to help each other through the darkness to make it to safety. People pried open a Snapple machine, handed out drinks, shared them, and passed them down the line to people who were fighting exhaustion. It was the bloodiest day ever for the New York City Fire Department, losing 343 of their brave firefighters in the face of this catastrophe that was created by Osama Bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda agents who struck this financial nerve center.

After the second plane hit, people were glued to the television and radio reports as they had loved ones and friends and watched strangers run for their lives in Lower Manhattan. Just west of the attacks, local shipping ferries and vessels that traveled to Staten Island and Hoboken were organized by the United States Coast Guard to rescue people and bring them to safety. For the first time in American history, the Coast Guard asked captains if they could put additional people on their boats and transport them away from the attacks. In what could be considered an “American Dunkirk,” in less than ten hours, it is estimated that almost 500,000 people were brought to safety. And this is only one of numerous stories of kindness and devotion that strangers demonstrated to each other.

Whereas the United States was militarily attacked by the Japanese on December 7th, 1941, this country never had the severe civilian losses that were seen on 9/11/01. The unthinkable happened through the collapse of the World Trade Center; the footage is viewed today to show Americans running for their lives and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge covered in soot. Within the farm fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the cries of Todd Beamer said, “Are you guys ready? Let’s Roll.” Flight 93 fought back, but this jumbo jet crashed and killed everyone on board. On the ground, some of the family members received calls describing the terrorist actions, and they received their final “goodbye.” Our citizens endured one of the “longest days” ever in American history.

For months after 9/11/01, the tri-state area had constant reminders of this sad period through the hearing of bagpipes for funerals that were held for the recovered remains. Americans came together and flew the flag, where even Wal-Mart was unable to keep up with the patriotic demands. Shea Stadium was a key headquarters for massive supplies, with the Mets organizing these resources for the Rescue Workers, and many of the Yankees visited police and firemen in Manhattan. St. James resident Frank Tepedino, who played with Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Bobby Murcer, and Thurmon Munson, was a 9/11/01 firefighter.

This Brooklyn-born kid threw the first pitch in the divisional series against the Oakland A’s with the smoke of the attacks in the background. Fans later cheered President George W. Bush at Yankee Stadium during the 2001 World Series, when he tossed a strike to home plate for the opening pitch. Bars in Lower Manhattan displayed patches of fire companies that traveled across America and Canada to assist in the search for people. The “Rescue Workers” fire, police, and paramedic patches from mostly New York City were worn by major league sports teams. Even during times of political chaos that were just observed during the Election of 2000, months after this turmoil, Americans united, put politics aside, and bonded as one people.