Twenty-One Years Later: Reflections on 9/11

Twenty-one years ago, one of the greatest attacks on the American republic occurred. On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flights 11, 77, 93, and 177 were hijacked by Islamic extremists and crashed in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. The atrocity of these incidents and the extensive loss of life impacted not only the United States but the entire world. Nevertheless, in light of this tragedy the American people found unity in patriotism, rekindling a sense of national purpose in the form of the “Global War on Terrorism.” This document is a compilation of reflection articles written by individuals with connections to – whether direct or indirect – the events of that fateful day. Authors in this compilation include Professors Scott Roenicke, Christopher Rhoades, and Grayson Story, as well as Dean Ronald Miller and Capt. Christopher Wilson. Each author provides their thoughts on the tragedies of September 11, 2001, and the current state of the world in light of its events. We hope that these insights provide a deeper understanding of not only the tragedy of 9/11, but the impact it has had on the trajectory of the early twenty-first century.