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NEVER FORGET: Over 90% of those who who died in the WTC towers had been at or above the points of impact. In the North Tower 1,355 people at or above the point of impact were trapped and died of smoke inhalation, fell or jumped from the tower to escape the smoke and flames, or were killed in the building's eventual collapse. Below the point of impact 107 people did not survive. In the South Tower, 630 people died. Casualties in the South Tower were significantly reduced by the decision of some to evacuate when the North Tower was struck.< - >
NEVER FORGET: At least 200 people fell or jumped to their deaths from the burning towers, landing on the streets and rooftops of adjacent buildings hundreds of feet below. Some occupants of each tower above the point of impact made their way upward toward the roof in hope of helicopter rescue, but the roof access doors were locked. No plan existed for helicopter rescues, and the thick smoke and intense heat would have prevented helicopters from approaching. < - >
NEVER FORGET: A total of 411 emergency workers who responded to the WTC scene died as they tried to rescue people and fight fires. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) lost 341 firefighters and 2 paramedics. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) lost 23 officers. The Port Authority Police Department lost 37 officers. Eight emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics from private emergency medical services units were killed. < - >
NEVER FORGET: Cantor Fitzgerald L.P., an investment bank on the 101st–105th floors of the North Tower, lost 658 employees; considerably more than any other employer. Marsh Inc., located immediately below Cantor Fitzgerald on floors 93–100, lost 358 employees, and 175 employees of Aon Corporation were also killed. < - >
NEVER FORGET: American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the western side of the Pentagon at 09:37 EDT. All 59 (crew & passengers) on board the aircraft were killed, as were 125 people in the building. Dozens of people witnessed the crash and news sources began reporting on the incident within minutes. The impact severely damaged an area of the Pentagon and ignited a large fire. Rescue efforts began... immediately after the crash. Almost all the successful rescues of survivors occurred within half an hour of the impact. Initially, rescue efforts were led by the military and civilian employees within the building. Within minutes, the first fire companies arrived and found these volunteers searching near the impact site. The firemen ordered them to leave as they were not properly equipped or trained to deal with the hazards.
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NEVER FORGET: At 08:14 the attack upon America began when American Airlines Flight 11 was hijacked. America was on the defensive for only 103 minutes. At 09:57:55 the heroes of United Flight 93 put us on the offensive. The hijackers in the cockpit answered the revolt by rolling the airplane left and right to knock the passengers off balance, up and down to disrupt the assault. A hijacker, "They wa...nt to get in here. Hold, hold from the inside... Hold." The cockpit voice recorder captured sounds of crashing, screaming, and shattering glass. A passenger cried, "In the cockpit. If we don't, we'll die" Another passenger yelled, "Roll it!" A hijacker said, "Pull it down! Pull it down!" and then airplane turned hard right & rolled onto its back. Amidst the sounds of the passenger counterattack, the aircraft plowed into an empty field near Shanksville Pennsylvania, just 20 minutes flying time from Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Capitol Building believed to be the hijackers target. The last piece of flight data was recorded at 10:03:10. For 5 minutes & 15 seconds the heroes of Flight 93 fought the enemy and bravely sacrificed their lives to save the lives of others.
NEVER FORGET: The deaths of adults who were killed in the attacks or died in rescue operations resulted in over 3000 children losing a parent. In the days immediately following the attacks, many memorials and vigils were held around the world. In addition, people posted photographs of the dead and missing all around Ground Zero. A witness described being unable to "get away from faces of innocent victims who were killed. Their pictures are everywhere, on phone booths, street lights, walls of subway stations. Everything reminded me of a huge funeral, people quiet and sad, but also very nice. Before, New York gave me a cold feeling; now people were reaching out to help each other.”
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Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!
Nothing more to say Patrick... wonderful tribute. Well, I guess I can add one thing, do NOT let this deter you from LIVING!
ReplyDeleteI was watching some of the ceremony coverage on CNN this morning. I had to turn it off after the first moment of silence. It is still just too much to take in. I can't stop thinking about those people, the families, and how people could hate enough to harm others.
ReplyDeleteSarah
notaneffingdiet.blogspot.com
I remember waking up in Australia seeing it all. I watched a lot of the memorial and Tribute shows, Heroes of the 88th floor stuck a chord with me. RIP - may your souls be free and at peace.
ReplyDeletePoignant. Authentic. Ruminative. Healing.
ReplyDeleteI will never forget!!!
ReplyDeleteLet's hope that one day we learn to live in peace.
ReplyDelete