Last night’s debate between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris was another reminder of how divided our nation is.
The animosity stood in sharp contrast to how united our country felt on this day 23 years ago. As well as during the following weeks.
Our sorrow and anger over the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 helped form a bond. It enabled us to put aside our differences and join together as a community.
As we contemplate our future as a nation, it’s important to also look back on that fateful day that was so formative to who we are.
Your Support Helps Us Help Others
Many heroes, including over 400 first responders and law enforcement officers, lost their lives on September 11, 2001. They paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we hold dear.
At 4Patriots, many of our customers are veterans. And many others hold our veterans in high regard. That’s one of the reasons we do everything we can to support the men and women who serve and have served.
Since our founding, we’ve donated more than $1.25 million to organizations that support our military members and their families. None of which would be possible without your support as our loyal customers.
Thanks to you folks, we’ve also provided truckloads of life-saving products. And donated countless hours of volunteer service by our employees. (Feel free to learn more about these efforts by visiting the charitable donations page on our website.)
But today is not about 4Patriots. It’s about those who responded to the events of 9/11. Plus everyday folks who did what they could to help a nation wounded in body and spirit.
Below are a few of their stories…
Former Navy SEAL Shares 9/11 Impact
First, I’d like to invite you to hear how former Navy SEAL commander and 4Patriots contributor Cade Courtley was impacted by 9/11. And how he responded to it.
NYPD Member Sees Carnage First Hand
Now let’s hear from Kevin O. He worked for the New York Police Department’s Intelligence Division.
“I was walking my dog up 16th Street in Brooklyn, heading one block over to Prospect Park. One of my tenants was running up the block behind me yelling my name. I turned around, thinking he’d been a crime victim.
“But he was yelling, ‘What are you doing here? The mayor wants all cops and firemen to respond to the World Trade Center.’ I said, “What for?” He replied that the towers were gone. That terrorists had blown them up. Just then a military jet came roaring over our heads.
“I had done a 4 p.m. to midnight shift the night before. I hadn’t gone to sleep until 5 a.m. I had slept through the attack. Going over the Manhattan Bridge and seeing the enormous amount of smoke rising up from where the towers once stood is something I’ll never forget.
“We did not get to what is now known as Ground Zero until 9 p.m. That’s when it was determined there would be no more attacks. The members of my unit and I walked down Broadway to Chambers Street. Then we made a right turn to start our descent into hell.
“The electricity for lower Manhattan was knocked out. As well as cell phone service. At Church Street and Murray Street we saw a wheel from one of the planes. Thick, white dust was everywhere. It was like walking through soft snow.
Eerie scene proves shocking
“There were drivers’ licenses and papers as far as the eye could see. A female sergeant held one of the driver’s licenses and said she’d mail it to the address. We stood in an informal circle, as if holding a service for the soul we knew was no longer alive.
“At Church and Vesey Street, we came upon four firemen on a firehose. They were aiming a flow of water into a pile of twisted steel. Not moving the hose left or right, up or down. We were told to leave them alone because they were in shock.
“The whole scene was very eerie, with generator lights, the cascade of water, and the winter wonderland of papers and dust on all the trees. It was very quiet. Which only added to the surreal nature of it.
“I saw three firemen sitting on the side of a very damaged firetruck, just looking at the ground. The debris made it right up to a church’s iron gate. The same church where they lauded Father Judge on the alter. He had been killed reading last rights to a dying fireman.
“We then headed up to Broadway again and started toward One Police Plaza. The order was given for us to pull back for regrouping the next day. The next day, the nightmare continued… and lasted until Thanksgiving.”
Houston Firefighter Brought to Tears
And this from Gary B., a former Houston firefighter…
“I was taking my parents on a cruise and we had just docked at Grand Cayman Island. My mom had called my cabin, saying she and my dad were heading down to disembark. They would be waiting for me. For some reason I turned on my TV while putting on my shoes.
“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Then I noticed the second plane. When it hit the South tower, I nearly collapsed. As a firefighter, all I could think of was those firefighters climbing up those stairs. I think I cried every night on that cruise.
“I was told every Houston firefighter was ordered back to their fire station. My parents were depending on me, so we completed the cruise. I drove straight from Tampa to Mobile to drop off my parents, then headed to Houston.
“Our department sent 12 firefighters to Manhattan to “work on the pile.” At least two of those firemen have since died from cancer. I’ll never forget that horrible day.”
Woman Experiences Array of Emotions
And this from Cynthia…
“I was getting ready for work that morning and I had the news on. All of a sudden, they switched to what was going on at the World Trade Center. I watched that first plane hit and I stood there in disbelief. And then I saw the second plane hit.
“And I began to cry because I knew this meant serious devastation. I had no idea how right I was. As I watched the flames and the smoke, I saw a man leap to his death rather than be burned alive. I will never, EVER forget that!
“I began to pray for those still in the building. I knew that so many of my American brothers and sisters were not going home that day. And I watched all the damage and devastation continue until I had to leave for work.
“I cried all the way there. When I got there, there were others like me who were also feeling the same way. Luckily, we worked for a good company. They told us if we wanted to go pray we could go and still get paid for our time.
“I remember at the church, praying and feeling helpless, angry, hurt, devastated, and fearful. And knowing that this was all I could do. I will never forget. We should never forget.”
It’s Your Turn to Share
It’s difficult to find a silver lining in such a tragic event. But if nothing else, it showed that when Americans pull together instead of fighting each other, we can accomplish much.
The resiliency shown by Americans during the weeks and months that followed 9/11 was nothing less than extraordinary.
Yes, we have many differences. But we also have many commonalities. And share many of the same goals. Hopefully we can each do our part to bridge those gaps and become a united country again.
You’ve heard from Cade, Kevin, Gary. and Cynthia. Now it’s your turn. Please feel free to share your 9/11 story in the Comments section below.