9/11 Reflections Published Sept. 10, 2021 By Tech. Sgt. Vernon Young Jr. 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Twenty years ago, the course of our Nation was forever altered when terrorists hijacked and deliberately crashed commercial airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. They failed in their goal of paralyzing the United States through fear because of Americans’ ability to stand together with hope, resilience, and perseverance against terrorism. We will never forget the nearly 3,000 innocent people who lost their lives that day in New York City, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania, and the many who were injured. Nor will we overlook those who have sacrificed since in American and global efforts to combat terrorism. Just as we remember those lost, we honor the families who have bravely endured life without their loved ones who died on September 11th and in the operations that followed. In their honor, we will never stop working together to ensure the safety and security of our Nation and its people.