PATRIOT DAY AND NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE

#PatriotDay

Patriot Day on September 11th honors the memory of the nearly 3,000 innocent victims who died in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Each year Americans dedicate this day to remembering those who died and the first responders who risked their own lives to save others. ​

The Importance Of September 11

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, 19 Islamist extremists carried out a series of coordinated attacks orchestrated by the terrorist group Al-Qaeda. These terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes, turning them into weapons of mass destruction. Their actions resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people and left thousands more injured.

The attacks began in the morning when two planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact and subsequent fires caused both towers to collapse, leading to catastrophic loss of life and significant destruction.

A third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, severely damaging the west side of the military headquarters. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was headed for another target in Washington, D.C., but crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers and crew attempted to overpower the hijackers. This act of bravery prevented further destruction and loss of life.

Among the nearly 3,000 fatalities were hundreds of police officers and firefighters who rushed to the scene to carry out rescue and evacuation efforts. Their heroic actions saved many lives, even as they sacrificed their own.
The 9/11 attacks are widely considered to be the worst terrorist incident in history, leading to significant changes in global security policies and practices. The attacks also united people worldwide in grief and solidarity, prompting widespread efforts to combat terrorism and support those affected by the tragedy.

How to Observe Patriot Day

Photo by Jin S. Lee

All around the country, people observe a moment of silence at 8.46 am, but many people also do that at 9.03 am, 9.37 am, and 10.03 am, commemorating each moment that a plane crashes. 

Many people travel to the National 9/11 Memorial and other memorial sites to honor the victims and lay flowers. There is a special ceremony held on Memorial Plaza for the family members of those killed in the attacks, during which the names of the victims are read out. Churches near ground zero also hold remembrance services for the public.

Each year, the President issues a proclamation that citizens should participate in appropriate activities in honor of the victims. It also instructs all Federal facilities and citizens worldwide to fly the United States flag at half-mast, from sunrise to sunset.
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As a mark of respect to honor those who lost their lives and their loved ones, a familiar quote associated with Patriot Day has come to be “We will never forget”, or, “never forget”.
There are also volunteer and service opportunities in local communities, particularly to provide support and assistance to veterans and survivors. Organizations specific to 9/11 include MyGoodDeed, which founded the now federally recognized September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.
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CALENDARR.com

911memorial.org