September 11 is Patriot Day – A National Day of Service and Remembrance

On that bright and sunny Tuesday morning, an Islamic terrorist group coordinated four terror attacks on the United States. Nine-eleven, as it is commonly called, is the day when two of the hijacked planes crashed into the New York World Trade Center and one flew into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth was headed toward Washington, DC but its passengers bravely attempted to take back control of the plane and it crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Almost 3,000 individuals lost their lives during the attacks, resulting in the biggest act of terrorism against the United States and one of the deadliest days ever on American soil. Most of those who lost their lives that day were people who worked at the Twin Towers; however many were first responders who risked their lives to rescue victims of the attacks.

During the terrorist attacks there were 2,976 men, women and children who lost their lives, and more than 6,000 others were wounded. While most were civilians, 343 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers died that day, along with 55 military personnel at the Pentagon. While most were U.S. citizens, more than 90 countries lost citizens during the attacks. Many U.S. citizens felt the attacks changed the world forever. 

Since the terror attacks on 9/11, the military has seen significant changes, shifting from a peacetime military to a continuously wartime military as it began the war against terrorists. The goal was to bring Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda to justice and prevent more terrorist attacks and networks. October 7, 2001 was the start of the War in Afghanistan, when U.S. and Britain targeted the Taliban and al-Qaeda camps, first by air and then on the ground. There was speculation of possible involvement by Saddam Hussein, which led to the 2003 invasion in Iraq.

The devastation of the September 11 attacks in New York was significant, not only with the collapse of the Twin Towers, but also to the economy of New York City and the rest of the country. Wall Street was closed until September 17 and civilian air space until September 13. The new World Trade Center site opened in November, 2014. Many memorials were built throughout the country, most notably the National September 11 Memorial Museum in New York, the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, and the Flight 53 National Memorial in Pennsylvania.

Patriot Day is held each year on September 11 to honor and remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks. In October 2001 Congress passed a joint resolution designating September 11 as Patriot Day, requesting that flags be displayed at half-staff and that the people of the United States observe a moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks.  In 2009, Congress designated that Patriot Day would also become known as a National Day of Service and Remembrance under bipartisan federal law. This proclamation called on people of the United States to participate in community service.

On September 11, Veterans Commemoratives (vetcom.com) is proud to honor and remember all those who have served our country following the September 11 terror attacks, as well as all our Veterans. 

Since 1987, Veterans Commemoratives has offered customized Military and War Service Rings, Watches, Jackets, and other Military Service items to those who served in WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq. For additional information about our products, visit www.vetcom.com.

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