September 11, 2001 is a day that changed the nation. Americans watched in horror as deadly terrorist attacks unfolded in New York City, Washington D.C, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, leaving nearly 3,000 people dead. Anyone in this country old enough at the time to form permanent memories remembers exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. Time seemed to slow as the horror unfolded, and we as a country moved forward shocked, saddened, and with a deep and unified resolve. The American spirit was strengthened in the face of those heinous acts, but even more than the hardening of our determination to preserve, was that September 11, 2001 inspired a new generation of young Americans to answer duty’s call and protect our great nation against foreign threats. Rising from the ashes of the unspeakable tragedy was brigade of patriots ready to do their part to ensure nothing similar ever happens again on American soil.

Just as we have on every anniversary of every Patriot Day on September 11, we remember and honor the victims who lost their lives on that fateful September day. We make sure to lower our flags to half-staff at sunrise, and we observe moments of silence corresponding to the impacts of the four hijacked planes and the collapse of each of the twin towers. We also reconnect with the spirit of unity, the feeling of the nation coming together to experience and recover from the tragedy with one heart, and we remember the far reaching impact that 9/11 has had on the lives of so many Americans. In response to the attacks, hundreds of thousands of people enlisted in our nation’s armed forces. For so many patriots around the nation, 9/11 was a call to action, and they felt a sense of duty to protect our country. In fact, 181,510 Americans enlisted in the military in the year following the 9/11 attacks.

One such patriot is a team member here at Lucky Strike, who reports that the acts of terrorism on September 11, 2001 inspired him to enlist as soon as he was able. Says our staffer, “At 16 I had no intention of joining the military before I saw the attacks happen on 9/11 as I waited in the cafeteria for school to begin. Those events changed my life as I witnessed the horror of that day. I felt compelled to join and signed up at the first opportunity I could when I was 17 in the delayed entry program. I ended up leaving for basic training within a month of graduating. That attack brought the country together more than any other point in my life and it was inspiring to see so many fly the flag proudly in the months following.” At Lucky Shot, we have always believed that patriots like our team member are the backbone of America, providing her with strength and ensuring she stands firm in the face of adversity. We are grateful to our staffer for his service and to all those who enlisted in response to the deadliest terrorist attack to occur in the United States. Our freedom and our way of life as we know it is due to the service of those who devote their lives to the defense of our country.

In the speech he gave on September 11, 2019, President Trump offered remarks about our nation’s military and the bravery and dedication of those that serve:

“Since September 11th, nearly 6 million young men and women have joined the United States Armed Forces. They have crossed seas, climbed mountains, trekked through deserts, and rushed into enemy compounds to face down the threat of radical Islamic terrorism. Nearly 7,000 service members have laid down their lives to protect our home, our flag, and our American way of life. American freedom survives only because there are patriots willing to sacrifice everything in its defense. No tribute is sufficient to convey the infinite depth of our nation’s gratitude. On this solemn day of remembrance, our thoughts also turn to the 200,000 valiant soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines who are now, at this very moment, stationed overseas. We do not seek conflict, but if anyone dares to strike our land, we will respond with the full measure of American power and the iron will of the American spirit. And that spirit is unbreakable.

And if, for any reason, they come back to our country, we will go wherever they are and use power the likes of which the United States has never used before… No enemy on Earth can match the overwhelming strength, skill, and might of the American Armed Forces.”

Please join us in remembering and honoring those who perished as a result of the 9/11 tragedy. Please also join us as we salute those who serve and have served in our armed forces, especially those who were galvanized into action and who answered the call to defend America as a result of the tragedy that occurred here on American soil.