September 11, 2001

 Most of us in the United States remember where we were on what we all 9/11. That was the day an airplane was flown right into the World Trade Center building.

As we watched the smoke we saw a second plane plow into the second tower of the Trade Center. Ater wondering if the first had been an accident we then knew that both were on purpose.

As we watched the horror we learned that a third plane had gone into the Pentagon which holds the offices of major military officials as well as clerical staff.

Then came the news that passengers who learned that their plane was on its way to the White House. The passengers got together and decided to force the plane down before it could accomplish its mission.

I worked the night shift. So did my sister. We rode together in order to economize. I had dropped her at her house that morning.

I was watching the news before going to bed when they broke in to say there had been an explosion of some sort at the Trade Center. Possibly an airplane had flown into it. Camera crews were immediately dispatched.

As we were watching billows of smoke pour out of the building we saw another plane flying toward the other building. We watched as it slammed into the building. There was immediate smoke and fire.

We still did not know about the other two planes.

I picked up my phone and called my sister. I asked if she had gone to bed. No. Was she watching the news. No, why.

I said, "Someone just declared war on us!"

Then we learned that a third plane had smashed into the Pentagon. Of course we had military in the field not in the Pentagon with their commanders. But the policy makers are in the building.

Then we learned of a fourth plane on the way to the White House. Everyone in the White House had been rushed to safety. The symbolism was immense.

The passengers on that plane contacted their loved ones to say good-bye. Then they rushed the cockpit and overpowered the pilots. They heroically crashed the plane knowing that they would surely die.

All those people in the planes died. Most of the people in the Trade Center died. First responders died. When the World Trade Center buildings collapsed many were injured. And many souls were devastated.

Now it is 25 years later. What was accomplished?