![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/files\/2012\/09\/IMG_0294.jpg\")
<\/a>Crystal Shelwood<\/strong> Most Jackson State University employees and students probably remember where they were 11 years ago when the most horrific terrorist attack in history occurred.\u00a0\u00a0 On Tuesday, JSU honored 9\/11 first responders during a prayer breakfast held in the Student Center on the 11th anniversary of the tragedy.<\/p>\n On September 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two of the planes were flown into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Often referred to as 9\/11, the attacks resulted in extensive death and destruction, triggering major U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism. More than 3,000 people were killed during the attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., including more than 400 police officers and firefighters.<\/p>\n \u201cAmerica responded with an outpouring of its national unity, America responded with prayer,\u201d said Sean Perkins, Chief of Staff for the City of Jackson Mayor\u2019s office. \u201cAmerica responded united as one nation under God, indivisible. On Sept. 11 and on the days and weeks that followed, we watched as our citizens worked to reclaim their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cWe watched as firefighters and police officers and others coordinated the pain-staking work of sifting through the rubble around them.\u00a0 We watched day in and day out with bated breaths and hopeful hearts as rescue efforts led way to even more startling, heartbreaking realities of this tragedy.\u201d<\/p>\n David Meyer, a freshman undecided major from Wisconsin said, \u201cIt\u2019s crazy to think it\u2019s been 11 years. I was in the 5th grade when it happened. It\u2019s such a surreal thing. It\u2019s definitely a day when we should take and remember those that have passed and remember those that are still serving. It is crazy to think how the world has changed. We see it when we go to the airport or sporting event. You saw a lot of people bond together, even though you really do not see it now. My best friend\u2019s dad joined the military after it happened.\u201d<\/p>\n Other program participants, who included Jackson Fire Chief Raymond McNulty and Jim Pollard with AMR, reflected on what they were doing that fateful day.<\/p>\n
\nBlue & White Flash \/Staff Writer<\/strong><\/p>\n