Patriot Day 5K in the Park

Local Matters



 

 

September 11, 2021, will mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11, a day in history that changed our world. I had just dropped off my boys at kindergarten and was on the treadmill when I saw the first plane hit the towers. When the second plane hit, I immediately drove to my parents’ house, where we watched in horror, then shifted into the fear that the U.S. was under attack.

I called my friend in New York, but the lines were not working. I would come to find out that she had watched both planes crash into the towers from her apartment window, then fled into the streets to find her husband, who worked downtown.

9/11, as it has come to be known, was a series of airline hijackings and suicide attacks against the U.S. in 2001 by 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda. It is the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil in U.S. history. The attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. resulted in 2,750 persons killed in NY, 184 at the Pentagon and 40 in Pennsylvania (one of the hijacked planes crashed after the passengers attempted to retake the plane.) The police and fire departments in New York suffered significant losses and gained legendary and deserved hero status for rushing into the scene of the attacks. More than 400 police officers and firefighters were killed.

There are many reports and theories on what precipitated the September 11 attacks. One widely known fact is that Osama Bin Laden, the militant leader of al-Qaeda, perceived the United States as a “paper tiger” — weak. The U.S.’ and the world’s response to the 9/11 attacks proved that we were no paper tiger.

On display during and after the attacks was patriotism and heroism at its finest. I have read how families of those lost in 9/11 believe that the promise to “Never Forget” is losing its weight. On September 11, 2021, the City of Pleasanton and the Pleasanton Express plus sponsors will be hosting “Patriot Day 5K in the Park” to commemorate the anniversary. There will also be a one-mile walk so everyone can participate. I urge you to join us at the 5 p.m. ceremony at the Pleasanton River Park, where there will be an official memorial event for 9/11 and also for our local first responders who are invited. These men and women in our community daily put their lives on the line for our safety. Please go to the Patriot Day 5K in the Park Facebook page or the Pleasanton Express Facebook page for registration and info on the event. See the Patriot Day 5K ad with QR code to register on page 4A of this issue. Let’s show the world that Atascosa County has not forgotten 9/11 and that we daily honor and appreciate our local first responders.

NOEL WILKERSON HOLMES is the Publisher and Managing Editor of the Pleasanton Express. You may reach her at nwilkersonholmes@pleasantonexpress.com.

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