This Monday, we commemorated the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center’s twin towers and destroyed part of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
We also remember the sacrifice of those who died on Flight 93 who foiled the plan of hijackers by taking the plane down over a field in Shanksville, Pa. It was believed that plane would have been used to attack one of the sites in Washington, possibly the White House or the Capitol. It’s not completely known what would have happened if the hijackers would have completed their mission that day.
That day is one of those days that you will never forget where you were when you saw the news breaking on live television.
It’s one of the reasons why I am in the business. That was my first semester taking media classes in college. It’s still fascinating to remember what it was like on that day.
It was one of those days when you looked up in the sky and saw an airplane, you didn’t know if it was a good plane or a bad plane.
Some of us watched the plane fly into the South Tower on live TV at 8:03 a.m. CDT. Others of us heard about it on the radio and then tuned in later.
I remember driving into campus that day and scanning all of the radio channels to see how they were responding to this major breaking news story.
I even remember reading coverage on espn.com talking about the terrorist attacks and how they were affecting sports. In the coming days, it would have a major impact on college and professional sports. Because the planes had all been grounded, it made travel very difficult on pro football and baseball teams to get from one city to the next.
Sports basically shut down for a week. College football cancelled its games as well. They would restart 11 days later. I remember that specifically because Auburn traveled to Syracuse that week. They had a very unique pregame ceremony to remember the lives lost on the other side of the state.
Patriotism was at a fever pitch. Flags were everywhere. Fire departments were asking people to “fill the boot” to help the families of the first responders.
It was a unique time in our country’s history. We were united even though we still didn’t agree on all of our policies. That sentiment didn’t last long as we went back to arguing like we’ve always done.
One thing that’s for sure, we don’t need to forget what happened that day. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we have to find a way to stand together as a country.
Brent can be reached at bmaze@newtoncountyappeal.com.
