Where were you September 11, 2001?

Today, September 11, 2015, marks the 14th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 7:46 am CT. I was in the office, preparing to drive to the Ripley County Courthouse for court proceedings. As I was walking out the door, one of our staff was coming in to work and asked if I had heard about the plane that hit the World Trade Center. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but turned the radio on as soon as I got in my truck. Shortly thereafter, at 8:03 am, the second plane struck the World Trade Center South Tower. By the time I arrived in Doniphan for court, American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon at 8:37 am. I watched the news in the courthouse with the judge and other lawyers as first the South Tower collapsed, followed by the North Tower.

Many of us remember exactly where we were when the world seemed to stop spinning. Even 14 years later, it is hard to put that day’s events and memories into perspective. We remember how the country set aside all of its political differences and united to support the families of the victims. We admired the dedication and service of the law enforcement officers, fire fighters, paramedics, EMTs and other first responders, who rushed in to the World Trade Center when all others were running away. Later, we began to wonder what we could do to make a difference and to remember.

President Bush, in reliance on a Joint Resolution of Congress, dedicated September 11, 2002 as Patriot Day. In 2009, Congress, followed by a subsequent proclamation from President Obama, officially recognized and established September 11 as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. Americans have had a chance to serve others as a way to honor the September 11 anniversary through various National Day of Service programs like those sponsored by 911day.org and the Corporation for National & Community Service.

At Kennedy, Kennedy, Robbins & Yarbro, LC, we strongly believe in giving back to our community through individual service to our respective churches, civic organizations, charitable groups and other organizations. Like a great majority of Missouri lawyers, we provide pro bono services, often working with different church and charitable groups, including Legal Services of Southern Missouri. Legal Services of Southern Missouri (LSSM) is one of four legal services organizations in Missouri funded primarily by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). LSC is a private, not-for-profit corporation created by an Act of Congress to ensure low-income people have equal access to the courts nationwide. LSSM is not a government agency, but rather a not-for-profit organization serving only the low-income and elderly in forty-three counties across southern Missouri. LSSM never charges a fee to a client.

We remember September 11 and urge you to join us in serving others in our communities to commemorate this anniversary.