GERALD GREENE: Honoring those who bravely answered the call

It is almost impossible to believe that the events of Sept. 11, 2001 happened 20 years ago this year. I remember where I was on that terrible day, as I am sure many of you do. The loss of almost 3,000 lives on American soil left a permanent scar on our country and affected families worldwide, and we must continue honoring their memory every day.

In the days after Sept. 11, stories began to filter out from Ground Zero. Stories of hero after hero who ran directly into an unprecedented situation — at great risk to their own lives. From firefighters who climbed the stairs of the World Trade Center towers knowing that, at any moment, the building could come crashing down around them, to amateur radio operators who helped maintain emergency communications channels and went to Ground Zero to help search for survivors.

Emergency medical personnel came from all over the area to Ground Zero, whether on duty or off. They evacuated and treated the individuals who had been inside the Twin Towers at the time of the crashes. Office employees who worked in the towers went back into the building, time and time again, to search for and save friends, coworkers, and strangers who needed help. The captains and crews of boats docked near New York City came to the island of Manhattan to evacuate survivors and others stranded there.

At the Pentagon crash site, brave men and women serving their country in the Department of Defense assisted in evacuating their coworkers and searched the rubble for other survivors. We also heard of the great heroism of the passengers of Flight 93, who made a valiant effort to retake control of their flight from the terrorists. Instead of hitting its target in Washington, D.C., Flight 93 crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, killing all on board but taking no other lives. The individuals on Flight 93 chose to risk their lives to save the lives of those they had never met.

In prior newsletters, we have spoken of our appreciation for first responders and our men and women of the armed forces. On Sept. 11, everyday Americans joined in with first responders and members of our armed forces to protect and serve others in danger. I hope you will join me in honoring the memories of those lost on Sept. 11. I am immensely grateful for those who answered the call on that day and will continue to support those who have protected our country at home and abroad ever since.

I hope we can find that same spirit of unity that we saw 20 years ago as we face our nation’s current and future challenges. I am reminded of the immortal words of our nation’s Star-Spangled Banner: “Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto, “In God is our Trust.” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave, o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

As always, please do not hesitate to call (404 656-9210) or email me at [email protected] to share your thoughts and concerns. It is an honor to represent you in the General Assembly, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

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