9/11 is not exactly a foreign topic for a New Yorker like myself, or even for any American. But there are so many different stories of that day, that no one can ever fully understand exactly what happened. No one will ever know what exactly happened on the flights that hit the trade centers, or for that matter on the flights that crashed in Pennsylvania and into the Pentagon. According to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board, American Airlines Flight 11 stopped responding to instructions from the Boston Air Center at approximately 8:14 A.M. The flight was taken over by hijackers and steered towards to the North Tower of the World Trade Center, which it crashed into thirty-two minutes later. There's so much discrepancy over what happened to the flight in the time that it was hijacked until the time that it hit the tower. It's simply absurd that five hijackers were able to board this flight without any incidence with security in the airport. Two fighter jets from Otis Airforce Base were sent to intercept the American Airlines Flight 11. But the fighter jets had to wait for authorization to take off and did not leave the base until 8:53 A.M.; seven minutes after the flight crashed into the north tower. The amount of confusion and lack of action caused the untimely deaths of too many people. If those fighter jets had left as soon as the flight was hijacked, thousands of lives could have been possibly saved. I am not an expert on army flight tactics or protocol, but I know that American Airlines flight 11 was in the air long enough for fighter jets to catch up to it and stop it from hitting the World Trade Center.
The men who hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 also boarded their plane without incident with security. They had knives (and possibly a mace) and were very suspicious while checking in and answering security questions, but they still got on the plane easily. American Airlines Flight 11 had already crashed into the North Tower when United Airlines Flight 175 was hijacked. It seems like there should have been someway for air control officials to stop this flight from also crashing into the tower. The flight patterns were irregular and there was no response from the cabin. Air control officials could have knew where the hijackers wanted to crash this flight, and they were left helpless because of fighter jet protocols and the lack of security at the airports. These hijackers never should have been on these planes, and there should have been ways for air control to stop these flights. This day was characterized by the inaction of many, but the heroics of some can also not be forgotten.
Many like Welles Crowther, a former Boston College lacrosse player, sacrificed their lives on 9/11 to save others. Crowther was said to have helped many and tried to lead rescue efforts in the South Tower. According to reports, Crowther saved as many as twelve people from death in the South Tower. Judy Wein, who was saved by Crowther, said, "I see this incredible hero, running back and forth and saving the day... People can live 100 years and not have the compassion, the wherewithal to do what he did." Ling Young also said about Crowther, "He's definitely my guardian angel-- no ifs, ands or buts-- because without him, we would be sitting there waiting until the building came down." Welles Crowther was just one of the many heroes who emerged on 9/11, and he showed true courage and patriotism. Crowther used his red bandana to shield his face from the smoke as he went up and down the Tower trying to save as many people as he could. He, like many other heroes, gave up his life in order to save others. It's a shame that Welles Crowther had to perish because of bad airport security and poor Air force control, but his legacy and heroic actions will never be forgotten. No one who suffered on 9/11 should have; we must remember them and always hold them in our thoughts. We must learn from what happened on 9/11 and make sure that nothing of the sort ever comes close to happening again.
The men who hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 also boarded their plane without incident with security. They had knives (and possibly a mace) and were very suspicious while checking in and answering security questions, but they still got on the plane easily. American Airlines Flight 11 had already crashed into the North Tower when United Airlines Flight 175 was hijacked. It seems like there should have been someway for air control officials to stop this flight from also crashing into the tower. The flight patterns were irregular and there was no response from the cabin. Air control officials could have knew where the hijackers wanted to crash this flight, and they were left helpless because of fighter jet protocols and the lack of security at the airports. These hijackers never should have been on these planes, and there should have been ways for air control to stop these flights. This day was characterized by the inaction of many, but the heroics of some can also not be forgotten.
Many like Welles Crowther, a former Boston College lacrosse player, sacrificed their lives on 9/11 to save others. Crowther was said to have helped many and tried to lead rescue efforts in the South Tower. According to reports, Crowther saved as many as twelve people from death in the South Tower. Judy Wein, who was saved by Crowther, said, "I see this incredible hero, running back and forth and saving the day... People can live 100 years and not have the compassion, the wherewithal to do what he did." Ling Young also said about Crowther, "He's definitely my guardian angel-- no ifs, ands or buts-- because without him, we would be sitting there waiting until the building came down." Welles Crowther was just one of the many heroes who emerged on 9/11, and he showed true courage and patriotism. Crowther used his red bandana to shield his face from the smoke as he went up and down the Tower trying to save as many people as he could. He, like many other heroes, gave up his life in order to save others. It's a shame that Welles Crowther had to perish because of bad airport security and poor Air force control, but his legacy and heroic actions will never be forgotten. No one who suffered on 9/11 should have; we must remember them and always hold them in our thoughts. We must learn from what happened on 9/11 and make sure that nothing of the sort ever comes close to happening again.