We arrive once again at the somber date we all know as 9/11. Since the fateful hours we observed through immediate television coverage, the day from 2001, has been memorialized as Patriots Day. The resolve of a nation has been recorded, and the memories preserved of the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost from the tragedy of the terrorist attack.

Almost every American, and every citizen from the free countries of the world knew a victim of the demolition that befell the World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City. Nearly every person remembers where they were, and what they were doing.

I remember I was beginning my daily work routine enjoying a cup of java and starting the TV to see the weather for the day. Within an hour I was drop jawed seeing the first plane hit the WTC. I immediately phoned my company employees to see if they also had seen what I saw. I summoned them to my house if they wanted and work was canceled for the day. Air travel ceased, there was very little sound of traffic and daily noise as I am sure all Americans were as I was mesmerized by the screen. Reporters told the tale of bravery by many from the fire department, police departments, EMS workers, and plain old citizens who stepped forward to help the victims who were trapped or exiting the ravaged buildings.

As I watched, I saw the fiery hole cut into the side of the skyscraper, and I witnessed with horror as a second plane struck the opposite building. From my experience in the Fire Service, I knew this was not going to end well. But still I clung to hope that many could escape and live. I saw my brothers of the FDNY charging steadfast into the towers, the Trade Center plaza was dotted with red trucks and police cars. It was then they reported and televised the people jumping to their deaths rather than be burned alive from story after story of the two buildings. Black smoke rose high over the city scape. And then the tragedy of not already the worst in recent history, became unbelievable. The towers one after the other pancaked to the ground in a giant rumble that spewed dusty particles for blocks and blocks coating everything within its path. This vision was so surreal you would have only expected it in a Hollywood movie. The most tragic part of this view was it was real. And in an instant much loss of hope for any victims was vanquished. In an instant it was realized that most, including 343 firefighters and 60 police officers had perished in the rubble. Still some hope held out to find as many alive under the piles of cement and twisted metal.

After days and days of searching and excavation the search for victims or their bodies and personal effects ended. As more days flew by, I was brought to the realization that although none of the firefighters were personal friends of mine, I did have some close associations with a couple of victims.

One such victim was potentially a hero in her own right as she had boarded the first terrorist hijacked plane in Boston taking the flight so her friend could celebrate an event in her life. Her name was Jean Roger, a vibrant young woman who loved life, and travel, and the simple things like sitting at her family cottage in VanBuren Point. She was a flight attendant that was in the first plane to crash into the WTC.

As a few more days slowly passed I was told by my cousin in Arkwright that his nephew Craig J. Miller, of East Bridgeport, Mass., was still missing under the rubble. He was a Master Special Agent for the Secret Service who was in NYC to provide security for doings at the United Nations just down the road. He was last observed by others standing near the escalators directing victims to escape at 7 World Trade Center. Weeks later they found his duffle bag and some DNA. Craig was the lone Treasury Agent killed in the 9/11 attack.

The story didn’t seem to end back on Sept. 11. Word came through that a third plane was sighted and dropped from radar in the Washington DC vicinity, and fighter jets were scrambled. This plane would hug low over the expressway and strike the outer wall of the Pentagon, bringing the same hurried response as it did in NYC. Although still a catastrophe, the loss of life was far less and received far less coverage by the news. Military personnel assisted their fellow soldiers through the fire and smoke.

Still more was happening when it became known that another fourth plane was cruising through the sky near central Pennsylvania. Tales of heroic action being taken by the passengers are still talked about today and upon regaining control from the hijackers the plane abruptly crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pa.,killing all aboard. From reports of the passengers’ actions came the rally cry “Let’s Roll!” It is used to express a patriotic and expedient response to danger.

And the complications for many continue as illness and death happen to those involved in the search and clean up after being exposed to dangerous toxins.

The resolve of America over this event was long — and implemented swiftly. Many of the planners and participants of the attack have been brought to justice. Many of the countries involved in aiding the terrorists have been sanctioned or occupied. The leader, who funded and planned the attack was brought to justice by our military and intelligence operatives when he was killed in Pakistan several years later a single acknowledged code word was announced “Geronimo!” letting all involved know his reign of terror was over.

The search continues for anyone else who was associated with the attack, this was promised by our leaders. Part of the resolve we all share as citizens of this country, is to never forget this occurrence and to tell it to future generations. Keep the strength of our nation a current task and bring to justice anyone who dares to even threaten the people of this great country, both at home and abroad. And never ever allow such destruction to occur to the United States of America again.

I take to heart this responsibility not to let one person forget that this tragedy occurred. I will retell it year after year and remind everyone of the bravery and heroism of our fellow countrymen — both living and dead.

Kirk Miller is past commander of the Chautauqua County American Legion.