Ten years ago today, America stood witness as four hijacked planes and terrorism careened into our consciousness.

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four passenger jets and intentionally crashed two of the planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.

Both towers collapsed within two hours killing thousands, including firefighters and police officers attempting to rescue victims trapped in the burning towers.

Hijackers crashed a third plane into the Pentagon.

And passengers of the fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, took control back from the hijackers. It crashed into a field near Shanksville, Penn., preventing it from reaching its intended target in Washington, D.C. Nearly 3,000 died in the attacks.

America sat transfixed, watching constant news coverage for what seemed like days on end.

When the smoke cleared, the nation found itself united with new purpose and at war with a country few had heard of outside of geography class.

Ten years, and two wars, later, the nation is still healing but the scars from that fateful day remain.
Opinions on the lingering effects on our nation are as varied as our people.

Some feel the attacks were used to fuel hatred against other nations, nationalities and even each other, or that any retribution dealt, no matter how large, is not enough.

Others feel we let a chance to better ourselves and country slip away, or that we have forgotten too much in the last decade.

Sgt. Toby Toon, U.S. Marine Corp

Every day, I think of the selflessness of everyone who responded to the attacks and those who have served overseas since then.

When I think of how we came together as a country after the attacks – as brothers and sisters – I wish we would be like that more often. We should still want to take care of our fellow Americans like we did then.

I enlisted in the U.S. Marines in August of 2000, so I was on base when the attacks occurred. We found out about it and immediately put our uniforms on and geared up.

Most everybody around me was panic-stricken at first.

We didn’t know what was going on back home. We were worried about our families and friends. But then, it was like a collective mentality came over us: Let’s lock and load. It was in the air. The panic was erased with the sudden awareness that this is what we signed up for, why we are here – to protect Americans.

We knew we went from serving during peacetime to being called to duty for war.

Nora Hibbard, Painter

I myself didn’t lose anyone. … It makes me sad because it was a chance for us to be kinder to each other and we let it slip away. … It became us and them. We got a little more hateful.

E3 Lance Cpl. John Zieglar,  U.S. Marine Corp

It made me want to join the U.S. Marines that much more. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted the terrorists to know that no one hurts Americans and gets away with it. We will come after you.

Steve Bell, Pharmacy tech

Like most people I remember what I was doing. It was kind of numbing at first. And initially I agreed with the administration – with Bush going into Afghanistan. Then a lot of choices were made that were wrong, like going into Iraq. It was about revenge. I think it was a bad choice and they gave 9/11 as a reason. … I know more about Islam now and not in a bad way. … It was easy to get caught up in hyper-nationalism. … The New York community came together and we did nationally for a while. But a lot of things done in the name of nationalism was shameful.

Alberto Guzman, Stylist

For me it made an immediate impact. I was a soldier and (George H.W.) Bush sent us to Iraq in Desert Storm. When 9/11 hit my sense of patriotism kicked in and wanted to re-up (sign back up for Army). I was in the infantry and I thought maybe they could use me to train some of the young guys. I wanted to help any way possible. The loss of life was tremendous. … I saw that and it impacted me like everyone else. The world is not the same. As a Christian I think we are in the Last Days like they say in Timothy. We haven’t been the same since.

Arielle Woodmore, MTSU student

I was 8 years old when it happened. I didn’t really understand it. I remember the PE teacher let us watch and my mom picked me up from school because they closed her office for the day. I slept in her bed for like a month afterward because I was afraid Osama Bin Laden would come underground and get me. I had a cousin in New York and I cried because I was afraid for her. It touches your heart as you get older and understand what happened.

David Hollie, Postal worker

Sometimes when I think about it, I recognize a lot of people lost their lives. And Americans came together and made America a better place. I try not to forget it. As time goes by people let it go and that’s something that shouldn’t be forgotten.

Anthony Koehler, 21

It’s another tragedy. I was in the sixth grade. I was too young to tell you what happened until a few years ago.

Lara Montgomery, Stay at home mom

As the anniversary rolls around, I think about what I was doing that day. My son was young and I had taken him out in the stroller. I remember looking at the TV and thinking it’s sunny, I’m strolling my son and this can’t be happening. I still think it couldn’t have happened. Over the years the immediate threat has lessened. Also my birthday is Sept. 10, so it was bittersweet.

Joey Coriano, Master barber

I think it means it’s a reminder we need to keep our guard up and not get too comfortable. We need to remember all who were lost, but not emphasize the negative. But this is not a celebration either. It was a terrible thing. That sucked. Let’s honor and remember those who died and not make this a superficial holiday. It seems like people who don’t really care are trying to glorify it, like it’s some kind of achievement, when it’s not. … It was a negative turning point for the country.