September 11, 2001.

It was just another ordinary day. Well. It started off that way. Like other people; I woke up, got ready for the day, ate breakfast, and went to school while others would go to work. It was a typical morning. Then it all changed for the worst.

19 militants that were associated with Al-Qaeda decided to carry out their horrendous plan and hijack four airplanes to carry out suicide attacks on the World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and people expected the White House. Two planes were flown into the twin towers in New York City, another hit the Pentagon outside of Washington D.C., and the fourth plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania instead of the intended target because the brave passengers fought the four hijackers.

At the World Trade Center, 2,763 people died including 343 firefighters and paramedics, 23 New York City police officers, and 37 Port Authority police officers. At the Pentagon, 189 people including 64 people that were on the flight were killed. On flight 93, forty-four people died when the plane crash-landed in Pennsylvania. That is a total of 2,996 people that were in killed in the attack including the 19 terrorist hijackers.

I was five years old when this happened. Five. I don't remember much, but from what I do remember, I was at school when this was happening. I was in the library, and the students were watching what was happening on the television screen. Then we were all sent home from school early. That's the moment that I realized how serious this was. Later that day, I remember my parents watching what had happened on the news station. It was not easy to watch. That day changed America forever. It changed my life forever. What started off as a normal day ended in disbelief, sadness, and hurt. But in that pain, America came together.

I am so thankful for our military, firefighters, and police force. Because they are always there to protect us; day and night.

People that have lost loved ones, and people that they knew in this event, my thoughts and prayers are with you because it isn't easy.

And to everyone. We must not forget what happened, seventeen years ago. Let's honor those that we have lost.