September 11, 2001, was a normal day for most people getting up and going to work or taking kids to school; then at 8:45 that morning an American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, turning the soft noise of the great city into panic and horrific catastrophe.

Over 3,000 people were killed during the attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., including more than 400 police officers and firefighters on that tragic day. The attackers were Islamic terrorists from Saudi Arabia and several other Arab nations; it was later discovered that Osama bin Laden was the man funding and supporting this attack.

A few stories are told about how people were calling their loved ones telling them goodbye and apologizing for this and that. One story of a heroic man is the story of Welles Crowther. Through the smoke, chaos and debris, Crowther helped injured and bewildered office workers to safety, risking his own life in the process. Though they couldn’t see much through the haze, those he saved recalled a tall figure wearing a red handkerchief to shield his lungs and mouth from the smoke and flames and debris. Crowther helped others and eased their pain.

Not long after the Twin Towers fell on September 11, 2001, the nation began to mourn, and around the country Americans began to honor the victims and demonstrate their patriotism to those who died on that tragic day.  Celebrities organized benefit concerts and performances, people attended unrehearsed candlelight wakes, and participated in moments of silence for the fallen. People mourned and honored those who died even if they didn’t know them.

September 11, 2001, was a normal day for most people getting up and going to work or taking kids to school; then at 8:45 tragedy struck Many died and some fought for others to live even though they would die. The nation proved that even when the very foundation of our country is shaken, we will still rise out of the ashes as one.