Friday, Sept. 11 is the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attack on our country. No matter where you were or what you were doing, we will never forget.
We will never forget that moment you saw the TV, you heard the radio, or someone came running in to tell you. We will never forget!
I was at the doctor and the nurse came running in and said the Twin Towers have been hit.
At 28 years old, it didn’t register with me at that moment. I was not feeling well and was thinking of myself. But shortly afterwards when I saw the TV, my heart dropped to the ground. Lord, those poor people.
I felt so helpless. What are we going to do? Who would do this? So many thoughts, confused, and didn’t know how to process.
Thinking of myself, I turned quickly to a scared and concerned citizen. So many people came together that day to help others. Thinking of others and not ourselves for once. A country came together, prayed together, loved one another, sacrificed for others, and swore to never forget.
Well here we are 25 years later and how many have forgotten? Why have you forgotten? Do we not care anymore? Have we just gotten so tied up in our own lives that others don’t matter? Our communities, our state, and our country need everyone to come together once again. We need to be our brothers and sisters’ keepers.
Tomorrow is not promised and we could have another attack at any time. So let’s not take for granted the freedoms we have. Let’s love one another today and every day.
We will come together Friday at the Veterans Memorial Park of America and remember the citizens, fire, rescue, law enforcement, and our veterans that lost their lives that day.
At 8:46 am –American Airlines Flight 11 crashed the plane into floors 93-99 of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, killing everyone on board and hundreds inside the building.
At 9:03 am – United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into floors 75-85 of the World Trade Center’s South Tower, killing everyone on board and hundreds inside the building. 2,753 people were killed in New York City at the World Trade Center and surrounding area.
At 9:37 am –Flight 77 crashed the plane into the western façade of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., killing 59 aboard the plane and 125 military and civilian personnel inside the building.
At 10:07 am –Flight 93 crashed into a field in Somerset County, Pa. killing all 40 passengers and crew aboard.
Nearly 3,000 people from more than 90 nations were killed on that Tuesday.
A local family was personally impacted by the attack of September 11, 2001. Willie Q. Troy, a West Columbus High School graduate, drafted into the U.S. Army to serve in Vietnam. Willie served as a guard for Gen. Abrams. Willie served his country for 151/2 years in the Army.
After his military career Willie went to work at the Pentagon and was working on Tuesday Sept. 11, 2001, when the attack on our country took place.
Sadly, Willie was one of the many that died that day.
This family and friends will always remember him as very knowledgeable and loved making people laugh. He was a kind and caring person.
Willie will be honored for his service to our country at the Veterans Memorial Park of America for the 25th Remembrance Ceremony on Friday September 11, 2026 at 8:30am. County fire, rescue, law enforcement, and veterans will lead the ceremony. There will be refreshments afterwards. Everyone is welcome.
