“You can be sure that the American spirit will prevail over this tragedy.”
— Joint Chief of Staff General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell
It has been some 23 years since the 9/11/01 attacks on Manhattan, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville Pennsylvania. On a day with brilliant sunshine, as Americans were putting their children on school buses, it developed into one of the worst moments in our nation's history. The government quickly realized that America was at war against Osama bin Laden and his terrorist organization of AlQaeda.
A new generation of citizens have emerged, and while they did not witness these attacks, they grew up with the heightened security apparatus of Homeland Security. These younger Americans watched the growth of domestic protective actions to guard multiple transportation systems, sporting events, and government buildings. Many younger citizens who recently graduated from college were not old enough to see 9/11/01, but some remember watching the news about the death of bin Laden by SEAL Team Six on May 2nd, 2011. Within the streets of New York City and Washington D.C., those Americans who grew up under the shadow of this assault were overjoyed when learning about the death of bin Laden. On the same night, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies game was briefly halted from the reaction of the fans who cheered the death of a tyrant who killed almost 3,000 people on this date.
It seemed like yesterday that our planes were grounded, Americans ran over the Brooklyn Bridge for safety, and President George W. Bush spoke to the country to reassure the fears of our people. For months, our citizens watched on television the rescue efforts in New York City, the aircraft that attacked the Pentagon, and in the fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, through the loss of “Flight 93.” Today, Americans recall how people from different backgrounds immediately bonded together. Yellow flags were wrapped around trees and porches and Walmart quickly sold out of American flags as over 88,000 were purchased on 9-12-01. Traveling over the George Washington Bridge, there was a huge flag that was flown that was seen for miles. Powerful lights were illuminated over lower Manhattan to honor the fallen towers and the lost people and rescue workers after the destruction of the World Trade Center. For months, there were the sounds and sights of bagpipes, hearses, and tears, as our people from this part of Long Island continued to relive the hardships of one of the “longest continued days” in our history.
People across this nation sent food and money to help the recovery workers that spent countless hours sifting through the ruble to find the survivors and the remains. Fire and Emergency Medical Services companies that ranged from California descended on New York City to provide support. Shea Stadium was a staging area that was assisted by the New York Mets and when baseball returned to America the Mets and Braves, two rivals, hugged each other. The New York Yankees of Joe Torre, Derek Jeter, Paul O’Neil, Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, and Scott Broscious visited fire departments and provided a morale booster for these heroes who were working around the clock. Former New York Yankee and Fire Patrol worker St. James resident Frank Tepedino threw out the first pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the playoffs. This fire fighter worked at Ground Zero and he connected baseball to the resiliency of the American people as this former professional baseball player represented rescue workers.
At New York Giants and Jets games, huge flags were displayed on the field, and fans who watched the smoke from the destruction of the World Trade Center, wore patriotic shirts and hats. Years later, this patriotism is still demonstrated through the Tunnels to Towers Run through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel into Lower Manhattan. This race has been a constant reminder of the need to never forget this day and the sacrifices of our people to help others at this difficult moment. Hearing music like Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American” and Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried,” this is a function that residents should participate in at least once to ensure that this date is never forgotten.
Right away, the American people answered the call to defend this country, as they entered the armed forces in large numbers. Our soldiers quickly deposed the totalitarian regime of Saddam Hussein and toppled the Taliban in Afghanistan. Although Americans watched in horror the regaining of power by the Taliban in 2021, our military for almost 20 years fought for the Afghani’s to gain enhanced rights, greater education, and modernization. Almost 250,000 Americans served during the War on Terror in active duty and the reserves to protect our citizens at home and abroad. As the Russians are struggling to fight the Ukrainians and the Chinese have threatened Taiwan, America has senior military officers who are experienced, and they represent the future military chain of command. The Chinese are the largest and yet the most unproven adversary of the United States, as they should never doubt the resolve of our military that has grown to meet numerous challenges during and after 9/11/01.