No one could’ve known. On that morning, normal people boarded their planes, ready to embark on their journeys. They thought nothing of the other people; other than they were sitting too close. Normal people went to work in New York and D.C. They thought nothing of the planes lifting off. How could they have guessed what was going to happen?
No one realized that on Flight 11, five Al-Qaeda members planned to hijack the plane. That they planned to kill the pilots and stewardesses with box cutters. That they planned to fly the plane into the North Twin Tower. That they would kill themselves and every other passenger trying to break America.
No one realized that there were five Al-Qaeda hijackers on Flight 175. That they had weapons stuffed in their shoes. That they would crash into the South Twin Tower 18 minutes after the first. That they would be willing to sacrifice everyone and everything to destroy the great country that they hated.
No one realized that Flight 77 would crash into the Pentagon. That five Al-Qaeda hijackers would crash into the headquarters of America’s defense. That they didn't care about the good men and women on the plane and in the Pentagon. That they were trying to leave us defenseless.
When the passengers of Flight 93 boarded their plane, they didn’t know they would take down the hijackers. That they would decide not to die in vain. That they would crash the plane in a field so that no other Americans would be killed. They didn’t know that their plane was headed to either the White House or the Capital. But they stopped it anyway. Let’s roll.
2,977 people died that day, ages 2-85, 412 of them first responders. Listen, and you can hear their desperate cries for help. Listen, and you can hear them say their final prayers. Listen, and you can hear the screams of passengers hurtling to their death. Listen, and you can hear the sobs of dying mothers. Listen, and you can hear the groans of crushed fathers. Listen, and you can hear them tell their loved ones "I love you," for the last time. Listen, and you can hear first responders charging to their deaths. Listen, and you can hear the buildings collapsing. Listen, and you can hear the dust cloud enveloping the streets. Listen, and you can hear the fires licking both people and walls. Listen, and you can hear 9/11.
Al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden thought they could bring down America, but they were foolish. We were united because of their attack. We were driven by their attack. We fought for those who couldn't fight for themselves. We will teach our children and our grandchildren about this day. We will fight for the freedoms that Al-Qaeda despised. We will fight for the strength that they wanted to take. We will continue to unite because of what happened on 9/11. We will never forget. We will remember the people who died, the buildings that crashed, and the heroes who gave their lives for others. They will never be forgotten.
"I can hear you, the rest of the world can hear you and the people knocked these buildings down will hear from all of us soon."
-Former President George W. Bush.
"Are you guys ready? Let's roll." –Todd Beamer, a passenger on Flight 93.
"Today the images that people around the world equate with power and democracy are gone but 'America' is not an image it is a concept. That concept is only strengthened by our pulling together as a team. If you want to kill us, leave us alone because we will do it by ourselves. If you want to make us stronger, attack and we unite."
–Adam Mayblum, World Trade Center survivor.
"They're all heroes in my eyes, they really are. They all pitched together and they did what they thought was the best thing to do at the time."
–Lisa Jefferson, an operator who took a call from Beamer.
"We're young men; we're not ready to die."
–Kevin Cosgrove, who was killed when the south tower collapsed.
"Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."
-Former President George W. Bush.
"Numerous civilians in all stairwells, numerous burn victims are coming down. We're trying to send them down first ... We're still heading up."
–New York City Fire Department Captain Patrick Brown.
"Hey Jules, it's Brian, I'm on a plane and it's hijacked and it doesn't look good. I just wanted to let you know that I love you and I hope to see you again. If I don't, please have fun in life and live your life the best you can. Know that I love you and no matter what, I'll see you again."
–Brian Sweeney, a passenger on Flight 175 that crashed into the World Trade Center, to his wife, Julie.
"It's up to us. I think we can do it ... Don't worry, we're going to do something."
–Tom Burnett, a passenger on Flight 93.
"Why am I here? What is the reason I was saved? They're really unanswerable questions. After going through something like we did, all you can do is try to live your best life from day to day and move forward with gratitude."
–Brian Clark, World Trade Center survivor.
"Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children."
-Former President George W. Bush.
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