We Will Never Forget - Today marks the 15-year anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks

'We feel almost like war veterans coming back to a war memorial.'

Fifteen years ago today, tragedy struck the nation when nearly 3,000 people were killed in a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a plane crash near Shanksville, PA.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - I walked into my classroom that morning having no knowledge of the horrors unfolding on the other side of the country.

Everyone was gathered around a television watching what I could only assume was a movie.

As I stepped closer, I saw tears falling from my teacher's chin and the other students' wide-eyed stares as a man jumped to his death.

It took a moment before I could find my voice but when I did, everyone responded no, it wasn't a movie. We were watching a real attack on US soil.

I became one of the billions around the world, staring in horror at the scenes unfolding.

Reporters attempted to stay calm as they gave what little information they could, footage played and replayed in horrific loops throughout the day and people wondered aloud if an attack would reach California.

In the following weeks, the death toll was released, interviews with citizens revealed a lingering fear of more attacks, and some called for war while others insisted on peace.

Ground zero was memorialized and the event was given the motto, "We will never forget."

True to our word, fifteen years after the events of 9/11, Americans continue to honor those who fell with various tributes across the United States.

USA Today reported emotional tributes at the World Trade Center site, the Pentagon and in a rural field in western Pennsylvania.

Bells tolled at 8:46 this morning in commemoration of the moment the first plane struck the World Trade Center's North Tower.

A moment of silence was observed before the names of every victim was recited aloud.

Presidential nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were in attendance at the World Trade Center site and both remained in honorable silence.

Another moment of silence was observed at 9:59 a.m. to mark the moment the South Tower fell.

At 10:30 a.m., the crowd observed a third moment of silence for Flight 93.

At the Pentagon, US President Barack Obama participated in a wreath ceremony and paid tribute to the victims of American Airlines Flight 177.

"No deed we do can ever truly erase the pain of their absence," the President commented. "Your steadfast love and faithfulness has been an inspiration to me and our entire country."

Defense Secretary Ash Carter vowed to track down any terrorist who dared attack the United States. He stated: "Wherever they are, they will surely, no matter how long it takes, come to feel the righteous fist of American might."

In Pennsylvania, some of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team comforted the families of United Airlines Flight 93, which failed to reach Washington, D.C. with help from brave passengers.

Tom Rooney, the president of Rooney Sports, stated: "The first shot in the war on terrorism was fired by those who wrestled the control of the plane, brought it down and saved the Capitol.

"We feel almost like war veterans coming back to a war memorial."

Though the painful event scarred the nation fifteen years ago, millions tuned in or attended the ceremonies to honor the victims and to recall the events of that horrible day.

Americans across the United States are taking moments to remember and to honor first responders and the families of the victims in what will continue to be the day we will never forget.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'

Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online