September 11^th, 2001 is a day that will forever haunt the minds of fellow Americans. Whether you were at work, in college, riding the fire truck, or sitting in your elementary school classroom crying with your teachers; 9/11 affected everyone.

The 2001 terrorist’s attacks impacted us differently. You were more likely affected by this day if you are a New Yorker rather than a girl who lives in San Antonio. It was a day that made the nation stand still. You truly didn’t know what scared was until terrorists attack multiple parts of your home country. Watching the tallest buildings of the NYC skyline burn in-person or live on every television station, or seeing the Pentagon burn. Not knowing if you were going to be attacked next.

Those involved in emergency services, such as myself, are deeply affected by the attacks of 9/11. We look at this day with a chill in our spine. When the alarm sounds and we're racing to the scene, it can very well be the last call we ever answer. We as a unit lost fellow brothers and sisters trying to save the lives of members of our fellow community on that day. The attacks affect us more because we are a breed of our own. Whenever that alarm strikes and the chaos begins, you can find us going after the disaster. Trying to be calm, cool, and collective and get the job done. Something drives us individuals to protect and serve our communities. We lost special men and women that day. 15 years later we still ache over it. When we re-listen to dispatch records of the initial attacks, we re-live that whole moment together as emergency services. The way we fight fires and how we train are much different since 9/11.

2,996 people lost their lives on this day between the World Trade Center Attack, The Pentagon Attacks, and the Flight 93 crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Over 6,000 people alone were injured. 343 were Firemen from FDNY were killed including Chaplain Father Mychal Judge (who was a personal family friend) and two Paramedics. 37 Port Authority officers from New York and New Jersey were killed as well. 27 NYPD officers died in the line of duty that day. Eight EMT’s and medics from volunteer emergency medical services and hospitals died that day as well including those from Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance, Hunter Ambulance, and Dumfries-Triangle Rescue Squad.

A nation never became more united after such a sad day of loss. The country truly was united for the first time ever. People were lending a helping hand, sports teams were united, and strangers were helping strangers. For the first time ever on this red, white, and blue soil; we truly stood together. We stand together again 15 years later in a new era of American people, honoring those who lost their lives.

On this sad day of loss, everything changed. Security, politics, foreign affairs, community, and law; nothing was untouched. The whole nation changed. Post 9/11 is a far more different world. Take a moment and pray for those who gave their lives that day. Thank an EMT, fireman, or police officer for their services. They are walking heroes among us living normal lives. Never forget 9/11.