SSP History: 25 Years and 9/11/01

"Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children." — President George W. Bush

25 years ago, on September 11th, 2001, the United States financial system, military, government, and civilians were directly targeted by Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda organization. The terrorists' main goal was to strike at the American way of life by killing 2,977 innocent civilians. These people, who were at work, came from different backgrounds, nationalities, ethnic groups, and religions. It seems like yesterday that a beautiful sunny day turned into one of the most tragic moments ever endured by our people since the creation of the United States.

"Time" is surely passing by quickly, as America now has an entire generation of students who will be sitting in their seats on 9/11/01 with no understanding of the depths of agony that were felt on this day. Hopefully, teachers across Long Island and the tri-state area will take a moment to speak about the impact of this date on the United States. Many people who survived 9/11/01 do not like speaking about their experience, but they are concerned that younger students might forget about this assault on the American way of life.

Our people still feel the immense pain of losing a loved one 25 years ago, and they travel to the 9/11 Museum to read the names, share memories, and offer prayers. Locally, the 9/11 illness created by the toxins released into the air from the collapse of the towers is still being battled by 9/11 rescue workers. It is estimated that over 9,000 people have passed away, with over 600 of these citizens being firefighters. The pain of this moment is still felt by the New York Fire Department, which lost 343 of its heroic members who unflinchingly entered the World Trade Center to save others. There are children who grew up without a father, and husbands and sons who were lost — their legacy strengthened by their immense sacrifice during this horrific attack.

Police officers like Badge #3256 Michael Curtin, a 1975 graduate of Rocky Point High School, refused to leave his post until his fellow officers were safely out of the World Trade Center. A highly decorated Marine during the First Gulf War, Curtin was a member of the Emergency Services Unit and was later deployed to Oklahoma City after the domestic bombing there. He was one of the few confirmed losses during 9/11/01, having refused to leave his post until all his officers were out safely.

The tower collapsed while Curtin was still inside. When he was found, this part of the city was closed off, and his wife, Helga, was directed toward Manhattan. His family and friends now operate the #3256 Foundation, and in Curtin's honor, they run one of the finest 9/11 golf outings to raise money for patriotic and charitable causes. Within lower Manhattan, a massive boat lift operation was quickly assembled to transport people away from the dangers of New York City to safety. This story often surprises people with the size and strength of this seaborne operation, which saved almost 500,000 people within nine hours. On 9/11/26, there was a reunion of the vessels that sailed into this perilous situation to ferry people to safety.

Hopefully, the nation will make this date into a true "National Day of Service," where, outside of gas stations, all other stores are closed. Unlike the sales seen in major stores during Veterans Day and Memorial Day, Americans would have a day to properly honor those lost in these attacks without it being commercialized for profit. Americans should never forget not only the horror, but also the willingness of strangers to help one another — people trapped after the planes hit the towers were quickly aided by those around them. In the time after 9/11/01, Americans showed their generosity by donating money to help the rescue workers. Sports teams wore NYFD and NYPD on their uniforms, a massive number of American flags were sold, and support poured in for our soldiers who were quickly deployed to Afghanistan to fight Bin Laden and the Taliban.

Today, may we thank the Armed Forces who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, who captured and killed Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, and countless other terrorists, and who undoubtedly ensured that another attack like 9/11/01 would not strike the United States again. There are 2.2 million veterans eligible for medical services, particularly given the severe wounds endured by the Wounded Warriors of the War on Terror. May our people take time out of their schedules to remember the moments when terrorism sought to destroy American ideals and values.