◆ SVI Radio listeners reflect ahead of 20-year anniversary this Saturday.
This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States. It was on September 11, 2001 when four planes were hijacked by 19 Al Qaeda terrorists with the intent of crashing the planes into prominent American buildings.
The first plane crashed into New York City’s World Trade Center North Tower at 8:46 am eastern time. The second plane crashed into the south tower seventeen minutes later at 9:03 am. Both 110 story towers collapsed in less than two hours after impact.
A third flight crashed into the west side of the Pentagon at 9:37 am. The fourth flight, which was intended for either the White House or U.S. Capitol, crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after it’s passengers attempted to retake the plane from it’s hijackers.
2,977 Americans lost their lives in the events of the day, with another estimated 25,000 injuries.
During the Weekday Wakeup on SVI Radio (Swift 98 & The Spur), listeners were asked to share their memories, emotions, thoughts and reflections on the week of the 20th anniversary of the attacks. Below are their responses.
“It was my 6th birthday, it began my love for this country. So grateful for the freedoms we have and grateful for those who defend our country”
“I felt afraid and then really ANGRY! I was activated two different times after that- both times were growing experiences & changed my life.”
“I am saddened by the fact that we are more & more divided in this country now. 9-11 brought everyone together for a common purpose for a while. We were being kind to one another. Patriotism was high. That seems to have gone astray now.”
“I was an educator on Long Island, New York about to start a class when a colleague came to my office and told me that a plane went into one of the towers. I had two brothers that worked in New York city at the time. I tried to contact both of them but was unable. Then more frightening news came to us. We had to keep our students from the televisions till our administration could get more information. I was more concerned about my two brothers who I couldn’t get in touch with. Hours later I heard from both of them. They met up with each other and walked over the 59th street Bridge till they got into Queens and I somehow drove to pick them up. They were covered in debris and looked a mess but I was so happy they were alive. To this day my one brother will not celebrate his birthday. I have gone back to the sacred site many times where so many innocent people lost their lives.”
“I was doing my hair in preparation for a shopping trip. Even then the event sounded weird. I picked up my daughter & son -in-law for the trip when the second plane hit & we agreed that it sounded like a terrorist attack. We listened as we traveled & learned of the Pennsylvania plan going down. Tragic! Then while shopping, Dennis waited in the car & told us of the plane hitting the Pentagon. I remember watching those people jumping from the tops of those buildings. Now it seems like we have just as much tragedy with people in the Taliban with brutality & I pray for them. I feel so blessed to live where we do & have such respect for those who protect us.”
“Gadiantons are among us.”
“Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan should be nuclear waste lands by now. All of those countries together are not worth one American life.”
“At the time of 9/11, I was a sophomore in high school in southeast Utah. I remember it being a Tuesday morning, the week of our homecoming. I remember feeling very impressed by the ways our community came together during that week. We redirected the focus that would have otherwise been all about us students and athletes, to a shifted focus on our country and patriotism, as well as on prayer and moments of silence. Even our homecoming parade was about unity and our country. The American flag waved in every hand, and decorated vehicles and floats. A day that changed our nation forever, in my mind, is remembered as a time when we stood United as Americans.”
“On 9/11, I was a civilian Air Force attorney, working at the only military office in San Francisco — located in a skyscraper on Market Street. As I was driving toward work, an airplane crashed into the Pentagon. I turned around my car and called my office. I told my commanding officer I’d be working from home.”
“Intense sadness…still.”
“Called my Dad, a World War II veteran. He said, “They got us on our own soil again!”
“I remember 9/11. I was on the phone with my son Brandon who was in the building next door working. He called and said “Hey, somebody can’t fly a plane. They flew it into the towers next to us. And as we were on the phone, the second plane came in, and I said “You’re under attack. Get out of there.” The line went dead. I went to school and was watching as the towers came down, and it was 24 hours before I knew Brandon had gotten out of there and was safe and was still alive. I’m grateful for our country, and I’m grateful that we still have our freedoms that we do.”
