Remember the Fallen on this 20th Anniversary of 9/11

Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the four terrorist attacks on the United States of America commonly known now as 9/11.  The attacks resulted in 2,977 fatalities, over 25,000 injuries, and substantial long-term health consequences.  It remains the single deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the history of the United States with 340 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers killed.  Rabun County Sheriff Chad Nichols encourages everyone to remember and honor the fallen on Saturday during the 20th anniversary.  “That still remains the deadliest terrorist act in the world and it is something that I would have never thought and still hard to believe that it happened on American soil, something of that magnitude of the towers, the Pentagon, and then out in the field in Pennsylvania.  For the 2,977 people that were killed that day, 340 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers, just remember I guess is the main thing.  Especially the way our world has been lately, it seems like everybody is so political and everybody is mean to everybody, just remember these victims that were targeted as part of an evil plan.  It’s still hard to believe.  I was working the night shift then as a deputy and I remember getting up and seeing it and was glued to the TV 20 years ago.  It was a sad day in our country but also I think it really united our country but just remember these public safety heroes and the civilians that died.  It was a sad and tragic situation.  I think a lot of people are complacent and maybe just a page to some in the history book but remember those people that died tragically and remember those first responders.  Also, remember our first responders here for what they all see, deal with, and do during their normal duties.  Just keep them in your thoughts and prayers as you remember those fallen in New York City, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon and the families because you know the families are living without those people in their lives anymore.  So, just remember would be my biggest message on this 20th anniversary.”  Numerous memorials have been constructed, including the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington County, Virginia, and the Flight 93 National Memorial at the Pennsylvania crash site.