15 years ago, the United States stared into the face of terror.
In 2001, four planes were hijacked by terrorists. Two headed for New York, and two headed for Washington, D.C.
When the first plane hit the North Tower at 8:46 a.m., news stations began to cover the story and the American people thought it was an accident. No one knew what was happening.
At 9:03 a.m., the nation was watching live as the second plane crashed into the South Tower. Everyone knew that this wasn't an accident.
The Pentagon was hit at 9:37 a.m.
Passengers and crew members of the fourth flight were able to contact family and learn of the attacks. The brave passengers of the fourth flight overtook the hijackers and crashed the plane, presumably headed for the White House, into a field in Pennsylvania at 10:07.
In just over an hour, our nation was in the midst of a terrible tragedy.
Instead of crumbling when faced with such terror, America stared right back. We did not fall. Instead, we united. We supported the families of those who lost their lives and honored the memory of the fallen.
15 years later and we still remember this day, not as the day that ruined our country, but as the day that made us stronger. We remember 9/11 as a day that reminded us of the nation we were created to be. We were not meant to fall in times of grief and tragedy, we were meant to grow and become stronger.
But 9/11 can serve as another reminder. We can look at America as a nation. In the face of this painful tragedy, America did not crumble, America did not fall, we got through it and we are stronger from it.
We can use 9/11 as a personal reminder. On days where we face personal tragedies, we can remember 9/11. If America can get through that day, you can make it through whatever you are going through.
In honor of National Suicide Prevention Week and 9/11, remember that you have survived all of your bad days and you can get through this one, too.
Remember that you are not alone and you can ask for help.
Remember our heroes that both lost their lives and sacrificed themselves to try and save others.
Remember that you are stronger than you think.
Remember to keep breathing.
