Posted September 11, 2011 at ReformParty.org:
Part 1 of a Three Part Story – Remembering the Victims of 911
On September 11, 2001, ten years ago today, terrorists committed one of the most horrific attacks we have ever seen on American soil. In a matter of hours, thousands of Americans, including all walks of life from active duty military and emergency responders, and from laborers to businessmen and professionals, lost their lives.
The terrorists chose their targets specifically for both the symbolism and international impact. The Pentagon was chosen because it represented American military might. The World Trade Center because it symbolized America as a global economic focus.
2,669 Americans lost their lives that day. Some quickly when the terrorists first took control of the planes. Others when they took fate into their own hands and tried to wrest control of a plane from the terrorists. Some died immediately when the planes impacted the buildings. Others left their lives to fate when they saw that there was no hope of rescue. And the emergency responders, who charged bravely in to the aid of others, and paid with their lives, have special recognition.
Today we take the time to remember those who lost their lives.
They were of all walks of life. Minimum wage service workers, blue collar folks, professionals, active duty military, emergency responders, executives, diplomats are included in those who died. The terrorists did not care what jobs you held.
They were of all faiths. The victims were Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and people of no religious belief. The terrorists did not care how often you went to worship or where.
They were of different races and ethnicity. The terrorists did not care whether we were white or black. They did not care whether we were Anglo or Hispanic. They did not care whether we were born in New York or Oklahoma or California. They did not care whether we or our parents were from the US, or Canada, or Europe, or Africa, or Asia.
In the end, the victims were Americans and America's friends. And their deaths showed us all what we have in common…what we have to lose if the world surrenders to the forces of fear, hate, and violence.
Today we take the time to remember what it is we defend, and what it is that the terrorists sought to take from us. Not just we as Americans, but all who believe as we do. Over 67 nations lost family members and friends.
For a full list, by name, of the September 11, 2001 victims, please visit:
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/lists/by-name/
For a list of 911 Memorial around the world, please visit:
The Victims of September 11, 2011 – By Nationality
| Country | Total fatalities |
| United States | 2669 |
| United Kingdom | 66 |
| Dominican Republic | 47 |
| India | 41 |
| South Korea | 28 |
| Canada | 24 |
| Japan | 24 |
| Colombia | 17 |
| Jamaica | 16 |
| Mexico | 16 |
| Philippines | 16 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 14 |
| Germany | 11 |
| Italy | 10 |
| Bangladesh | 6 |
| Ireland | 6 |
| Poland | 6 |
| Israel | 5 |
| Peru | 5 |
| Portugal | 5 |
| Argentina | 4 |
| Brazil | 3 |
| Chile | 3 |
| China | 3 |
| Ecuador | 3 |
| France | 3 |
| Guyana | 3 |
| Lebanon | 3 |
| Malaysia | 3 |
| Romania | 3 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 2 |
| El Salvador | 2 |
| Ethiopia | 2 |
| Ghana | 2 |
| Haiti | 2 |
| Jordan | 2 |
| New Zealand | 2 |
| South Africa | 2 |
| Switzerland | 2 |
| Australia | 1 |
| Belarus | 1 |
| Belgium | 1 |
| Côte d'Ivoire | 1 |
| Honduras | 1 |
| Indonesia | 1 |
| Lithuania | 1 |
| Moldova | 1 |
| Netherlands | 1 |
| Nigeria | 1 |
| Russia | 1 |
| Spain | 1 |
| Sweden | 1 |
| Republic of China (Taiwan) | 1 |
| Ukraine | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 1 |
| Bermuda | 1 |
| Venezuela | 1 |
[a] One of the Americans was former FBI special agent Bill O’Brien. Tired of banging his head against the broad grey wall of the Hoover Building, he abandoned his career. Tired of being ignored on numerous data drops on Bin Laudin and the Twin Towers, he got a private job. Head of security of the International World Trade Center. He started in August 2001. His last day was ………..
[b] These were not heroes. They were work aday stiffs.
[c] The bad guys were not cowards. They were brave and efficient.
[d] A group with no air force clobbered three of four targets in the financial and political capitals of the ‘enemy’.
[e] “………. their deaths showed us what we had in common ……. what the world has to lose if we give into a world of fear, hate and violence ……” Hmmmmm, sounds like they won and we lost!