WBOB Original Reads

Kilmartin: 16 Years Later

9/11/2017

Perter Kilmartin
Rhode Island Attorney General

Each year, on September 11, I find myself, like most Americans, thinking back to where I was the moment when the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

At the time, I was serving as a member of the Pawtucket Police Department. I could not have been more proud of being a police officer, and yet, I also felt immense worry for my brothers and sisters in uniform who responded to the incidents in New York City, Washington, DC and Shanksville, PA.

When the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center that morning, many of us thought it must be some sort of tragic mistake. But when the second plane hit the South Tower a short time later, we realized that a truly horrific attack on our nation was taking place.

And, when the towers came down and we learned of the crashes at the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania, our history was forever altered. Our hearts broke knowing the tremendous loss of life. Our minds raced not knowing what would come next. Out of that unimaginable loss and great uncertainty, a resiliency, strength, and patriotism never seen before took hold with great fervor. We stood together with our families, friends, neighbors, and even strangers, united as one nation that could not be broken.

The world has changed a great deal in the past sixteen years. Wars have been waged, presidents have been elected, and at times, it can feel our country is more divided than ever before. No matter our differences, no matter our disagreements, and no matter our challenges, we are still all connected by our memories of September 11. It is a day we can never forget. It is a day we will never forget.

On this day, the sixteenth anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks, and every day, let us continue to pray for all the families who lost a loved one, and let us give praise to the first responders, members of our military, and all those who answered the call of duty, for their unwavering commitment to keep us safe.

May God bless you and may God bless our great nation.