We may not have known their names or faces, but every American mourns those who were lost in the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil in the history of our country.
That happened 11 years ago yesterday. It was on a Tuesday, just as yesterday was, and it was a sunny day, just as yesterday was.
But for a few hours, no one knew exactly what was going on in our country. It was the strangest day anyone had experienced here since perhaps Pearl Harbor. And that was back in 1941.
There are numerous things many of us remember from that day.
The sacrifices of the first-responders is one big thing most of us remember. What a huge sacrifice they made.
And the two towers of New York City’s World Trade Center coming down, killing thousands of the people inside them. One of those who died was West Virginia University graduate Chris Gray, who played on the Mountaineer football team. He is still remembered each year when Sept. 11 rolls around.
Then there was the plane slamming into the Pentagon.
And the 40 passengers on Flight 93. That’s the flight, as we all know, that the passengers revolted against the four terrorists who had taken over the plane, and it went down at Shanksville, Pa. If it had reached the Capitol, the White House or the Pentagon in Washington, where most people believe it was headed, there’s no telling how many casualties there might have been.
In all, just under 3,000 people died on that fateful day in 2001.
On that day, none of us knew whether more days like that would be following or what was likely to happen. Fortunately, despite numerous scares in the weeks and months ahead, peace prevailed on the homefront.
Each year, when Sept. 11 rolls around, most of us pause while remembering not only those who died in the terrorists attacks but also recognizing the fact that our ideals cannot be destroyed by terrorists attacking us within our borders.
Early on, the immediate thought of many Americans was that Saddam Hussein was responsible for this cowardly act.
But soon afterward, it was realized that Osama bin Laden was the man behind this horrible attack that used U.S. planes as weapons — something that no one in the United States had really prepared for.
It took a while, but bin Laden was killed nearly 10 years after the fact.
The fight against terrorism is a long grind — so terribly expensive in lives and treasure. It’s a battle where America must prevail.
The United States’ resiliency cannot be destroyed by terrorist acts.
Opinion
Terrorist acts must not destroy great resiliency of United States
- Opinion
-
-
Seizure of AP phone records is an insult to an independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
-
We change — at least a little — after each attack
How well do we remember the world as it was before 9/11?
Do we remember what airline security was like? Life before the Patriot Act? What was the school environment like before school shooting at Columbine and Sandy Hook? -
Record-breaking years for Pierpont, FSU give students strong opportunities
When people make the decision to further their education — whether they’re going to college immediately after high school or heading back to the classroom after several years of being in the workforce — there are plenty of potential obstacles to consider.
-
Sound policy would give coal a chance, not erase challenges
It’s no secret that the region’s coal industry faces challenges from many sides.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration, through a report it began releasing last month, forecast that although total U.S. coal production is expected to rise after 2016, Appalachian coal will not. -
Peace Officers Memorial Day: Honoring those who keep us safe
Today, all U.S. and West Virginia state flags will be lowered to half staff in memory of the officers who died in the line of duty, making this state and this country a safer place to live, for Peace Officers Memorial Day.
-
Each and every day should be Mother’s Day
Anna Jarvis, from our neighboring city of Grafton, began the tradition that on the second Sunday of May, mothers and motherhood would receive a national celebration and recognition.
From those early local beginnings, Mother’s Day has evolved and become one of the most celebrated days of the year. -
Teens need co-pilots to navigate social media
It’s tough to be the parent of a teen.
Heck, it’s tough to be the parent of a preteen. Ten is the new 15 these days. Fifteen is the new 21. Kids grow up so fast, and we have to fight them every step of the way to make sure they’re not growing up too fast. It’s a constant question of whether something is age-appropriate and the constant response of “all of my other friends are doing it.” -
Proposed bill levels playing field for local businesses
The study of economics is vast, complicated and debatable on almost every point.
There are those who are conservative in their estimates when given all factors to calculate into a model. -
Move past baloney and continue quest to ensure students get meals they need
It’s time to move past the baloney ... or bologna ... or lack of same at school lunch.
-
‘Relentless efforts’ made by teachers are appreciated
Each weekday in classrooms across the country, men and women stand in front of young minds that are waiting to be molded, looking to be inspired, craving the lessons that will help shape their futures.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Seizure of AP phone records is an insult to an independent press
