compiled by JC Helton, wvw staff writer
 On September 11, 2001 the United States was under terrorist attack. Four planes had been hijacked and headed toward four major buildings in the United States.
  At 8:45 a.m. the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City had been attacked, unbeknownst by the world that it was an act of terrorism. The impact from the American Airlines plane had left a fiery hole near the 80th floor of the 110 story tower. Hundreds of lives were taken during this act, but also trapped hundreds of more people on the upper floors. After what seemed to be a freak accident, news stations had gone to the scene as soon as possible, with all of their attention to the northern tower.
  Eighteen minutes after the first plane had hit the north tower, a second plane from United Airlines took a sharp turn toward the Southern tower hitting near the 60th floor. The surrounding buildings and streets received a shower of debris and were covered in pieces from the tower. Shortly after the attack on the Twin Towers at 9:45 a.m. another American Airlines plane hit the Pentagon military headquarters killing 125 military personnel and civilians inside the building and the 64 passengers on the plane.
 Fifteen minutes after the attack on the Pentagon the Southern World Trade Center had collapsed creating a massive cloud of dust and smoke. The steel structure of the skyscraper could not withstand the intense heat from the burning jet fuel and collapsed. At 10:30 a.m. the northern tower collapsed as well. With only 6 surviving inside the World Trade Center as it collapsed, 10,000 others were treated for injuries.
  Meanwhile another plane was hijacked and was heading toward the United States Capital until a brave group of passengers fought the four hijackers of the plane. The plane then crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:10 a.m. All 44 passengers on the plane were killed.
 In all 2,996 people were killed (including the 19 hijackers) and more than 6,000 others injured. These immediate deaths included 265 on the four planes (including the terrorists), 2,606 in the World Trade Center and in the surrounding area, and 125 at the Pentagon. The attacks were the deadliest terrorist act in world history, and the most devastating foreign attack on United States soil since the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
  At 9 p.m. President George W. Bush had declared over a televised address. “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”
 America’s war on terror had begun. Always remember.