OPERATION ENDURING SERVICE: STORIES FROM 9/11

September 11, 2001 - This day, over 20 years ago, changed the lives of all Americans. We have assembled one of the largest collections of personal stories about the impact that 9/11 had on people all across the country. We are honored to share them with you.

Mary McKiernan

Mary McKiernan

Veteran

Robert Music

Robert Music

Veteran

Christina Petersen

Christina Petersen

Active Duty

Kevin Schmiegel

Kevin Schmiegel

Veteran

Flight 93 could have been significantly worse had its 43 passengers not decided to thwart the intentions of their hijackers. Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, PA, which is four and a half miles from where I lived.

Charlotte Hessey

Veteran Spouse, Veteran Parent

Kent Cockson

Kent Cockson

Veteran

Tayden Haile

Tayden Haile

Veteran

Mary Beth Bruggeman

Mary Beth Bruggeman

Veteran

Lance Maguire

Lance Maguire

Veteran

Jeremy Butler

Jeremy Butler

Veteran

Freddie Ellis

Freddie Ellis

Veteran

While the work was challenging and, at times, frustrating, I went to work every day with the knowledge that I was making a difference and helping defend the US against future terrorist attacks.

William Cassida

Veteran

Meagan Pierluissi

Meagan Pierluissi

Veteran

Now many years later on this day America remembers, For the Home of the Brave was reborn from those embers

Michael Leslie

Veteran

Later when they built the foot prints and museum at ground zero I was able to visit. A day I will never forget.

Deanna Allman

Veteran

Dennis Kluge

Dennis Kluge

Veteran

I tried to go to Operation Desert Storm in 1991, but I was in high school. I felt like I had to give something back for the freedoms we enjoy. Now was my chance.

Dwayne Harris

Veteran

Kathy Keating

Kathy Keating

Veteran

Doug Pfeffer

Doug Pfeffer

Veteran

I spent 15-plus months in Vietnam and never once did I feel as vulnerable as I did on 9/11.

Tony Finello

Veteran

Juan Antonio Lopez Alamo

Juan Antonio Lopez Alamo

Veteran

John Donovan

John Donovan

Veteran

Jess Underwood

Jess Underwood

Military Family Member

Terry Wright

Terry Wright

Veteran