As we approach September 11th, we all remember that terrible day in 2001, 15 years ago, when 19 terrorists hijacked four U.S. commercial airliners and targeted suicide attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, with a fourth plane crashing in a field in Pennsylvania, but believed to have been headed to the White House or the U.S. Capitol Building. On that day, a total of 2,996 people were killed in New York City, Washington, DC, and outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It was the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.
That day is also known as the deadliest day in law enforcement history in the United States. Of those who died during the initial attacks and the subsequent collapse of the twin towers, 343 were New York City firefighters and paramedics, another 23 were New York City police officers, and 37 others were Port Authority police officers. In addition to these numbers, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health estimated that more than 1,000 people who have lived or worked near ground zero, including first responders, have been diagnosed with a cancer related to the attacks.
On this 15th anniversary, we remember all who were lost on that day and send condolences to their loved ones who continue to grieve. We should also not forget the unity our country achieved after this devastating attack. Although the people of our great country may find themselves again divided by politics or other important issues, it’s important to remember what bound us together after the September 11th attacks, and why we rallied behind our first responders, who ran into the danger that day, not away from it. Now, as we remember all the victims of the September 11th attacks, we should keep today’s police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, in our thoughts, and support them, because they, along with the men and women in our armed forces, are working everyday to keep America safe.