19 years ago this morning almost 3,000 people lost their lives during the attacks at the Twin Towers, Pentagon and aboard United Airlines Flight 93. At 8:46 a.m. ET, American Airlines Flight 11 hit the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. At 9:03 a.m. ET, United Airlines Flight 175 hit the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. At 9:37 a.m. ET, American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon Building in Washington. And at 10:03 a.m. ET, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
As I was reading last evening, I came upon the following quote from an unknown author. It gave me perspective and comfort, and I hope it does likewise for you today, as you remember and reflect.
”On this morning 19 years ago, 246 people woke up in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people woke up in preparation for work. 343 firefighters woke up in preparation for their morning shift. 60 police officers woke up in preparation for morning patrol. 8 paramedics woke up in preparation for the morning shift. None of them saw past 10:00 a.m. In one single moment life may never be the same. Know that those who perished that day would tell you to live and enjoy the breaths you take today. They would also remind you that tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted.”