ARC employees gathered together against the chilling winds of September as members of the National Guard raised, and then lowered to half mast, our American and Tennessee flags. After a moment of silence, Mark Loftis led ARC and it's visitors, which included Senator Charlotte Burks, in prayer and reflection.
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Tuesday, September 11, 2001 is a day most of us will never forget. It will go down in the history books as the worst terrorist attack ever on American Soil. Our nation watched in shock and horror as a hijacked commercial airliner flew into Tower One of the World Trade Center in New York City just minutes shy of 9am EST. Eighteen minutes later, a second hijacked commercial airliner flew directly into Tower Two of the World Trade Center. Within thirty minutes, both buildings collapsed, killing thousands of workers, visitors and several hundred firefighters and policemen trying to save the lives of those trapped inside the buildings.
But it wasn't over yet.
A third hijacked airplane flew into the north side of the Pentagon, causing massive destruction, fire and death. We then learned that a fourth airplane had crashed into a corn field somewhere in Pennyslvania. Later we were told that hijackers had also taken over that airplane, only to be overtaken by the male passengers on board. Cell phone calls from passengers to loved ones at home gave them information on the other hijacked planes and what was going on. No one knows what happened in the final minutes before the crash, but we know a few brave men saved an untold number of lives by thwarting the mission of the hijackers, which we later learned was guiding the plane towards the White House.
As trucks are still carrying away tons of debris and rubble, rescuers still search frantically and hopefully for survivors. President Bush has declared Friday, September 14, 2001 as a National Day of Mourning for those who were lost and their friends, families and coworkers. Americans everywhere have lowered their flags in respect and remembrance and their heads in prayer. America is wounded and stunned, but our message is loud and clear. We will not be intimidated by this horrific and cowardly terrorist attack on the U.S. We are a strong nation who stands together in time of need and stands together today. We will find out who is responsible for this attack, and we will make them answer for what they did. We will pray for guidance to make the right decisions and find a way to prevent this type of violence from reoccuring in the future. We will rebuild and will emerge from the smoke a stronger, more united nation than ever before.
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