This online news website is owned and operated by Becky Watts. The Editor can be reached at 770-468-7583 or at editor(at)PikeCountyTimes(dot)com. Pike County Times is a website for citizens to keep up with local events and stay informed about Pike County government. It began on November 13, 2006 as a watchdog on county government and has turned into an online newspaper.
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By Editor Becky Watts
ZEBULON - It’s been eleven years since terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Do you remember where you were at 8:46 am when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the north tower? At 9:03 a.m. when United Airlines Flight 175 hit the south tower? At 9:37 a.m. when American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon? At 9:59 a.m. when the south tower fell? At 10:03 a.m. when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania? At 10:28 a.m. when the north tower fell?
It was mid morning when I awoke to the sounds of the television in my living room. Our rambunctious two year old played under the watchful eye of her Daddy, and I was holding our newborn baby boy in my arms. The south tower had already been hit. It was absolutely surreal as the events unfolded. Our nation lost its innocence that day.
We watched the coverage live as reports came in of other planes that had been hijacked and the possibilities of targets other than Washington D.C. and New York. At one point, Atlanta was even mentioned and we wondered if my husband was going to be called out to defend our country in the midst of this attack on our country. You see, my husband is a soldier. We knew as we watched the events unfold on live television that it wasn’t a matter of if he was going to be called; it was a question of when would he receive the call.
Many police officers, fire fighters, emergency personnel, and soldiers have answered the call of duty since the call for help went out at 8:46 a.m. when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the north tower of the World Trade Center. Protecting our country from within its borders is an important. Protecting our country from outside of its borders is important too.
My husband and many others have answered the call of duty in the years following 9/11. He and many others have defended our country abroad. Many continue to serve our nation here at home. We are thankful.
We also mourn for those who lost their lives defending our country here at home and overseas. We are grateful as individuals and a nation.
www.911memorial.org will have a live broadcast at the 9/11 Memorial beginning at 8:30 a.m. today.
How will you remember 9/11? Some will remember 9/11 by volunteering on this day. Others will shed tears for loved ones who gave their lives defending our nation’s citizens both here and abroad. Many will remember by taking time to reflect on sacrifice and freedom today. What is another way that we can remember those who have sacrificed so much for us?
We will continue to honor those who put their lives on the line every day, and we will remember those who gave their lives here at home and abroad.
We will never forget.