AP News
The Twin Towers being hit by the planes on 9/11
Terror struck passengers as terrorists took over their plane. Two out of four planes that were hijacked hit the Twin Towers, striking them down, and an instant panic went throughout the city. Another plane hit the Pentagon, while the last, which was directed to the Capitol, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania due to brave citizens who took out the terrorists. Citizens, law enforcement officers, and emergency responders immediately acted. Smoke and rubble consumed all of New York. Lives were lost, uncertainty of safety spread throughout the country, and a lost sense of patriotism filled the U.S.
The tragedy of 9/11 is a day we will never forget. Even 24 years later, this event still impacts America like a wound that will never fully heal. According to Britannica, the terrorist attacks are considered “the deadliest attacks in recorded human history,” with 2,977 casualties, not including the hijackers. The people who led this attack were a part of Al-Qaeda, an extremist group. But this devastation only strengthened America, bringing us together when we needed it most.
“They knew that when you go to work, you may not come home…” Lavaca EMS Chief Michael Furrh said.
This day was unforgettable, making it very clear in the memories of those alive during 9/11.
“I remember it plain as day, I was a college student at Texas State University. I had already transitioned out of the military at that time.” Hallettsville Athletic Director Levi Montgomery said.
For many, 9/11 started as a normal day.
“I’ve got a 30-year-old stepson, I had taken him to school because I was off from class that morning, and I remember when I got home, seeing everything on television…it was a clear day, you know, blue sky over Manhattan and seeing it,” Montgomery said.
With all of the commotion and uncertainty, emotions changed rapidly.
“ It was just shock… It turned to anger pretty quick.” Montgomery said.
The nation was torn, not knowing what to believe or who to trust, but they knew in those moments all they had was each other, and they needed to stick together.
“The way it affected our country it was a sense of togetherness for a long time; after that, it obviously has faded and the division has returned,” Montgomery said.
With all of this time that has passed, some don’t feel the same on the subject as they once did, but the emotions still feel raw each year of the anniversary of this dreaded event.
“24 years later, my thoughts on it are different; I won’t necessarily get into it, but it was shock and anger,” Montgomery said.