Twenty-four years have passed since the tragic events of 9/11. In that time, we have had the ability to mourn the deaths of thousands. We have heard the story of hero after hero from the days just after two planes crashed into the world trade center in New York City. We witnessed the bravery of those at the Pentagon as a third commercial jetliner slammed into the outside wall. A recount of the conversations had with passengers aboard a fourth plane as they planned to suppress their captors and in completing the task crashed outside all metropolitan areas in the rural lands of Pennsylvania.

Much is said nationwide and remembrance offered for the 343 firefighters and 72 police officers that lost their lives during the collapse of the twin towers. The count of airline passengers and crews is also usually acknowledged. But let us not forget that 125 American patriots and members of our nation’s armed forces lost their lives at the Pentagon. Stories had surfaced about the bravery shown on this day from some who survived the tragedy in the Arlington crash. I recall a television piece about a higher-ranking soldier navigating the halls to escape the fire and along the way encountering others lost and injured and taking them along with him to seek safety outside. The most amazing part of this story was this soldier was blinded from the attack. And the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 exhibited the ultimate levels of heroism as they fought against hijackers in their last minutes of life. We hear continued chatter about these people year after year, and it is fitting to recognize these heroes for their ultimate sacrifice.

We also have new heroes that become known each day as they are the thousands of workers who have become sick or have died from the exposure to the toxic contents of Ground Zero. And while I recall those who perished on that fateful day, I would be remiss to not mention my brave cousin Craig J. Miller, Special Master Agent of the United States Secret Service, who was the only treasury officer killed in all parts of the 9/11 attack. I vowed on the 12th of September 2001 when he was reported missing that I would not let this world ever forget his sacrifice.

We honor all these names of the people who acted unselfishly and ran towards danger to help their fellow man. But how often do we think or talk about the innocent people who had no stake in the game? They were ordinary people to us, but someone special to another. They showed up for work on a September morning with no thought of the consequences of such responsibility. After the impact of the first plane or the second, I am sure some of these people who didn’t hold titles like New York’s Bravest, or Finest, still acted heroically in trying to save themselves or their coworkers. They were from several state agencies or companies like Morgan Stanley, or Bank of America. 0ver two thousand of them, that have seemed to be unmentioned within the history of this event. I recall watching the day unfold. I sat in front of the television wincing each time I watched a poor soul leap from hundreds of feet to their death with a thud as they struck the ground. I am sure most hoped that it would be better than burning alive. It is for these reasons that we remember and memorialize this day. It is the sole reason we went to war against a hidden cowardly enemy.

Fortitude has brought us victory in our search for justice of crimes committed against not just our country but for the free world. It was called the World Trade Center because that is what it had represented, a place of global commerce. But as history has defined us, The United States of America would take the lead on the capture trial and punishment of any of the collaborators involved in this tragedy. It took several years but we completed that task and continue to identify participants to this day.

President Bush said it best when he told the world that America would have resolve. He said we would stop at nothing to bring those responsible to justice, alive or dead, and for the chief conspirator it was consummated under a single word Geronimo, the code name for the termination of Osama bin Laden. Our resolve has been true. It has lasted a long time, but it is necessary to ensure our future safety. On this twenty fourth anniversary of the most tragic attack by a foreign enemy on American soil, wipe away your tears, step outside and look to the heavens. Bask in the warmth of the sun as you think fondly of those you have known who were affected by these events and rejoice in knowing that our America still stands and our flag still waves symbolizing the freedoms and liberty, we all enjoy. I thank you all in advance for supporting our troops, especially those put in harm’s way and always remember what happened in 2001 on what is now Patriots Day.

Kirk L. Miller, Past Commander 23/24

Chautauqua County American Legion

8th District Department of New York