Exactly twenty-four years ago, today, this nation went through an unimaginable tragedy as four commercial airplanes were hijacked after take-off, which led to the deaths of 2,977 people, marking the event as one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in United States history. That day, three of those planes struck the Pentagon in Virginia and the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York. The last plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was the only plane not to hit its target after its passengers revolted and stopped the hijackers from accomplishing their goal. 
“We were all in our Homeroom watching everything that unfolded, but for me personally, it didn’t hit me until that night to see just how much it affected not just those who suffered and the heroes that came to the aid of the victims in New York, but all across the country. For me, it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is my country, what’s going to happen?” Public Information Officer and assistant to the chief of police, Erinn Reyes, said.
The tragedy of 9/11 has been, and always will be, an important day to never forget, with the aftermath of this news still being felt to this day. To honor the lives lost on that day and to uphold the strength of the community, Garden City Community College held its annual commemoration for the day early this morning. At nine in the morning, students and staff gathered in front of the Student & Community Services Center of the college, and numerous first responders lined the parking lot as they lowered the flag to half-mast in honor of the many civilians and first responders lost.
“I think it’s awesome how we continue to celebrate not the events that happened but the sacrifice that everybody made that day, and never to forget that a lot of people here today weren’t even born yet, so it’s good to keep the events fresh in everybody’s mind…After 9/11, that was about unity and coming together, and it’s good to see that,” Captain of Support Services Division, Jason Chase, on the outgoing support and turnout this morning, said.
“No matter the time that passes since those horrific events in 2001, the memory of unity and doing the ceremony for the last few years that I’ve been with the police department and hearing the times and what was going on during that time just allows me to try and remember how every moment matters, each moment with your family, each moment with your loved ones, each moment with your coworkers that it may be the last moment so you have just got to enjoy every single moment in time so that if a tragedy does happen we don’t have any regrets,” officer PJ Foster, said.
No matter the time, the events that transpired on 9/11 will always stick with the citizens of the United States of America and it is important that we do not forget the lives lost, the heroes who raced toward danger and the community built upon it.
