Remembering

We Promised. We promised never to forget. Yet, around the world the descriptions and messages of textbooks and curriculums vary widely. In the U. S. memories and details are fading away. An ever-growing number of Americans have no personal memory of that day, either because they were too young or not yet born.

Americans watched in horror as the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 left nearly 3,000 people dead in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The enduring power of 9/11 is strong and vibrant for those who remember that day. Americans who are old enough to recall, remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. 9/11 reveals how a badly shaken nation came together, briefly, in a spirit of sadness and patriotism. Patriotic sentiment surged in the aftermath of 9/11 and rallied behind their country. It changed our lives forevermore.

Within hours after the attacks of Sept. 11, thousands of rescue workers from across America deployed to ground zero to help in the search and rescue efforts. Joining the endeavor were dogs specially trained in search and rescue, police work, therapy and comfort. It is estimated that more than 300 dogs took part in the search, rescue and recovery efforts at ground zero.

Of those a yellow Labrador retriever and explosive detection dog while working in the basement of the World Trade Center’s South Tower with his handler, Port Authority Police Department Lt. David Lim was the only rescue dog causality. When the building began to shake, Lim secured Sirius in his kennel and went to help the injured, telling Sirius, “I’ll be back for you”. Sirius’ remains were found in the wreckage of the South Tower in the winter of 2002 and were removed from Ground Zero with an honor guard.

Lest we forget. The numbers were gruesome. The horror and carnage became more than most could endure. Total number killed in New York: 2,753. Of those were 23 NYPD officers; 37 Port Authority police officers. 1,402 employees died in Tower One; 614 employees died in Tower Two; 658 employees were lost at Cantor Fitzgerald. 115 nations had citizens killed in attacks.

98 FDNY vehicles were destroyed. 343 firefighters and paramedics were killed. A total of 341 New York City Fire Department firefighters, paramedics and civilian support staff died from post-9/11 illnesses.

For most, who are old enough to remember, it is a day that is impossible to forget and costly. 1,609 people lost a spouse or partner in the attacks; an estimated 3,051 children lost a parent; Ratio of men to women who died: 3:1; Age of the greatest number who died: between 35 and 39. 20 percentage of Americans knew someone hurt or killed in the attacks.

Bodies found “intact”: 291; Remains found: 21,906; Number of families who got no remains: 1,717. 36,000 estimated units of blood were donated to the New York Blood Center; 258 units of donated blood were actually used.

1.8 million Tons of debris were removed from the site. Estimated cost of cleanup: $600 million. Total FEMA money spent on the emergency: $970 million. Fires burnt for 99 days.

The economy was severely impacted. Economic loss to New York in the month following the attacks: $105 billion. There was a 684.81 Point drop in the Dow Jones industrial average when the NYSE reopened. There was about 123 billion dollars in economic loss during the first 2-4 weeks after the incident.

Estimated amount of money needed to overhaul lower-Manhattan subways: $7.5 billion. Amount of money granted by U.S. government to overhaul lower-Manhattan subways: $4.55 billion

The 9/11 attacks inflicted a devastating emotional toll on Americans. 63% majority of Americans said they couldn’t stop watching news coverage of the attacks. The tragedy of 9/11 transcended age, gender, geographic and even political differences. The impacts of 9/11 were deeply felt and slow to dissipate. By the following August, half of U.S. adults said the country “had changed in a major way” – a number that actually increased, to 61%, 10 years after the event.

We need to commemorate those lost and give thanks to the brave first responders who put their lives on the line. The bravery of American citizens and uniformed personnel in the face of one of the world’s most appalling terrorist attacks is remembered on Patriot Day on September 11. Reflecting and remembering the events that took place in 2001 reminds people of the sensitivity of time and the importance of standing united as a nation.

On Patriot Day, U.S. flags are lowered halfway, and there is a country-wide moment of silence at 8:46 am (EDT), which is when the first plane crashed into one of the Twin Towers. Although the attacks were in the U.S., Patriot Day is recognized worldwide as the day that devastated and impacted people all over the world.

Moments of silences are observed several times during the day. The timings correspond with the terrorist attacks, with the first one starting at 8:46 A.M. EDT and the last one at 10:28 A.M. EDT.

On that day, “we were one country, one nation, one people, just like it should be,” Eddie Ferguson, the fire-rescue chief in Virginia’s Goochland County.

“None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.” - U.S. President George W. Bush, September 11, 2001