Charlotte, NC

There are a few of us who don’t remember exactly where we were when we saw the planes crashing into the World Trade Center six years ago … but none of us will ever forget it.

It was the day our great city … our great nation … wept.

The tragedy was the most indelible ever etched into the American psyche. And, with each step of those who ran to escape the falling concrete and steel, with each drop of sweat that fell from a worried fireman or police officer who tried to help, with each tear that trickled from a child’s eyes — one who knew his daddy or mommy was not coming home — our shock turned to utter rage against those who caused this to happen.

Here in Charlotte, literally hundreds knew or had ties to someone who perished in the buildings that day. Our city council quickly implemented plans to keep our own citizens safe. From the airport to our airwaves to our air-conditioned homes, we immediately began to “secure and reassure” ourselves and those around us.

Within hours, churches opened their doors to whoever wanted to enter and pray or meditate. A number of our people offered their services at what was to become known as “Ground Zero”. Various organizations took donations to help those injured — and the families of those who lost loved ones.

And, although a devious, hate-filled overlord from the Middle East was the alleged mastermind behind the attacks, the Queen City refused to follow other areas of our nation in branding all Mid-Easterners terrorists or supporters. Instead, we embraced those who were born there but chose to make Charlotte “home.” We knew it wasn’t their fault, but that, nationally, they’d bear the brunt of the guilt.

For that, we can be proud. For these cry with us as we remember that fateful day. They, too, are Americans … they, too, are Charlotteans …

They join us in remembering and reflecting on those who perished, as well as honoring the brave men and women who worked so feverishly to save lives that day, whether in the rubble of the Twin Towers, in the debris of a Pentagon wall … or on a plane destined to fall in a Pennsylvania field.
They join us in remembering, honoring, and praying those who lost their lives on one Day in History … one that, forever, will be known by three numbers: