To the editor:

Twelve years ago at 8:45 a.m., the first plane crashed into one of the World Trade Center Towers.

At 9:03 a.m., the second plane crashed into the other tower.

At 9:43 a.m., an aircraft crashed into the Pentagon.

At 10:05 a.m., the South Tower collapsed.

At 10:10 a.m., a plane crashed in Sumerset County, Pennsylvania.

At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower collapsed.

The events that occurred in 2001 on Sept. 11 shocked and staggered our nation, but only for a moment. An enemy unfamiliar with the strength and resilience of the American people mistakenly thought they could frighten and cripple us as a nation.

Their assumptions and misunderstandings of who we are and what we stand for, immediately became apparent to them and to the rest of the world.

Out of the chaos of that day, came order and a clear sense of what we needed to do. Out of the confusion of that day came a new solidarity: a strength of purpose and a clear and united resolve – not in the name of vengeance alone, but more importantly, in the name of justice.  We looked closer at ourselves on Sept. 11, and in the days that followed.

The smoke and dust of the ruined Twin Towers failed to cast a shadow over the extreme acts of courage and valor displayed by hundreds of police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and others during the frightful morning of Sept. 11. We now understand that heroes surround us on a daily basis. Everyday heroes, ordinary men and women made extraordinary by their professionalism and their willingness to serve and protect… and who go beyond the boundaries of duty.