Twenty three years ago, on Sept. 11, terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, resulting in the deaths of 3,000 people and marking one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in U.S. history. It was a life-changing event, fostering both American unity and sorrow, as the nation continues to mourn the victims years later.

     “This was a heartbreaking experience for everyone,” said JROTC instructor Michael McGruder.

     Plano Senior is privileged to have one of the JROTC instructors as a 9/11 veteran. McGruder was enlisted in the army in Japan during the time of the attack. At the time of the attack, he was watching television and witnessed the attack through live news channels. The army immediately initiated lockdown, elevating the Force Protection Condition. McGruder’s Military police Operations, dispatching the law enforcement to all areas and taking orders from the pentagon.

     “Not only did this affect me, but it affected the whole military and how we run things…” McGruder expressed.

     McGruder later explains how it was a massive shock to him and everyone around him, especially since he personally knew people in the Twin Towers. It was difficult to endure the attack, filled with worry and stress, knowing he couldn’t immediately help the people in the towers, as there were no ships or flights heading to the U.S. at the time. 

     “I have been in the army for 26 years, and this event was one of the first times in my career I’ve seen everyone come together to help the attack,” McGruder explained.

     People often think history is something that happened so long ago, without realizing how recent and how real it is. September 11 was an event that significantly impacted so many lives and had lasting effects on the nation. Due to how recent the attack was, the U.S. is still recovering. Americans honor the veterans that served  and helped protect the country in response to this terrorist attack.