Never Forget

This is the ninth anniversary of the worst attack on American soil in history. It is a day of tragedy and heroism. It is a day of sorrow and determination.It is a day of coming together to honor the fallen, and resolve to never forget. It is a day to recommit to continuing the fight for our freedom and values.

On September 11, 2001 four airliners were hijacked by Islamist extremists. Three were deliberately flown into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC. One, Flight 93, crashed southeast of Pittsburgh, after passengers on board attempted to retake the flight from the terrorists.

Below is the timeline of events on that day, courtesy of September 11 News.

7:58 AM - United Airlines Flight 175 departs Boston on it's way to Los Angeles. Shortly after take off, it is hijacked and diverted to New York City.

7:59 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 11 also departs Boston for Los Angeles. Shortly after take off, it also is hijacked and diverted to New York City.

8:01 a.m. - United Airlines Flight 93 departs Newark for San Francisco. Shortly after take off, it also is hijacked and diverted from it's original destination, likely to Washington, DC.

8:10 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 departs Washington's Dulles International Airport for Los Angeles. Shortly after take off, it also is hijacked and diverted from it's original destination, heading to the Pentagon.

8:46 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston crashes into the North Tower at the World Trade Center.

9:03 a.m. - United Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the South Tower at the World Trade Center.

- U.S. Federal Aviation Administration shuts down all New York area airports.

9:21 a.m. - Bridges and tunnels leading into New York City are closed.

9:25 a.m. - All domestic flights are grounded by U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

9:45 a.m. - American Flight 77 crashes into The Pentagon.

10:05 a.m. - The South Tower at the World Trade Center collapses.

10:05 a.m. - The White House is evacuated.

10:10 a.m. - A large section of one side of The Pentagon collapses.

10:10 a.m. - United Flight 93 crashes in a wooded area in Pennsylvania, after passengers confront hijackers.

10:28 a.m. - The North Tower at the World Trade Center collapses.

To see a graph and images from that day, also courtesy of September 11 News, go here.

Almost 3,000 people perished that day, among them the passengers and aircrew of the four flights, employees of the many businesses in the World Trade Center buildings, military and civilian personnel at the Pentagon, and First Responders in New York City from the NYPD and FDNY, as well as others from outlying cities who also responded. The only satisfactory thing about this horrible day is that the 19 terrorist hijackers also died.

Before I conclude this, there is one thing I want to acknowledge, and that is the hospitality an, yes, love shown to thousands of passengers of other airliners that were diverted when the FAA ordered all flights grounded. That hospitality and love that was shown was from ordinary Canadian citizens, who went "above and beyond" in welcoming strangers to their cities, towns, and homes. Thank you all so much for that. It is a debt that may not, in truth, be repayable, but must be acknowledged and remembered.

As you go about your normal routine today, please take a moment to contemplate the events of this day, and remember.

Never Forget!

Update! I was just informed of something I was totally unaware of that also happened that day by my friend polaris93, who told me that many, many people from the Jersey Shore area of New Jersey went over to New York City in their boats to pick up folks, and took them back to their homes to give them a place of refuge and to let them call loved ones to say they were alright. By not knowing this, I was not able to acknowledge their actions. To those of you who did this, thank you so much for what you did to give aid and comfort to strangers, and I hope you will forgive me for my ignorance, and omission.

Thank you too, polaris93, for letting me know this little known fact.