Twenty-five years ago, on September 11, 2001, thousands of commuters in the New York and New Jersey area set out for work, unaware that they were about to experience a day that would forever change history. Within a few hours, coordinated terrorist attacks brought down the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, tragically taking thousands of lives and leading us to continually rethink our security, air travel and emergency response systems. Survivors and first responders often share vivid, heartfelt memories: the horrifying sights they witnessed, the eerie silence that followed the Towers’ collapse and the shocking realization that the attack was aimed at the U.S. itself.
The anniversary is especially meaningful for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Sadly, 37 Port Authority police officers lost their lives while responding to the attacks and their aftermath. Union representatives feel that these sacrifices remain a vital part of the agency’s history, even after 25 years. Every year, the agency hosts ceremonies to honor those who died that day and in the days and years that followed, and they are remembered fondly by veteran employees who had the privilege of working alongside them.
They were extraordinary on that day.