Fall and Rise Summary

“2,977 lives lost—but behind every number there’s a story of love, courage, or an unfinished journey. How do we honor them while learning from one of the darkest days in modern history?”

1. The Seeds of Destruction Were Sown Long Before 9/11

The September 11 attacks didn't come out of nowhere; they resulted from years of meticulous planning and ideological buildup. The roots can be traced back to 1998, when Osama bin Laden issued a fatwa openly declaring war on the United States and its allies. The declaration was a culmination of grievances and radicalization, with the groundwork for al-Qaeda’s attacks laid years before the event.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed crafted the Planes Operation, initially planning to hijack ten airplanes. Osama bin Laden scaled it down to four and handpicked operatives with specific qualifications, such as travel experience and fluency in English. The hijackers were prepared over years to seamlessly blend into the environments they targeted.

The preparation spanned continents, with hijacker Mohamed Atta training in Afghanistan and Germany before arriving in the United States. From changing appearances to studying aviation, al-Qaeda’s operatives meticulously navigated logistics to prepare for their mission, which culminated on September 11, 2001.

Examples

• Bin Laden’s fatwa in 1998 explicitly targeted Americans, providing ideological groundwork.
• Mohamed Atta’s life in Germany and his transformation to fit into Western society underscore the years of forethought put into the attacks.
• Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s multi-plane Planes Operation evolved with detailed instructions on execution.

2. Chaos in the First Few Minutes of 9/11

The terrorists’ strategy was built on speed and surprise, ensuring minimal reaction time. The first clue of trouble came from flight attendant Betty Ong, who made a significant phone call as American Airlines Flight 11 was being hijacked. She calmly informed airline personnel about the attackers’ takeover of the cockpit.

Yet the chaos on the ground made it hard for institutions to understand the scope of what was happening. The simultaneous hijacking of four planes meant that limited response protocols became even harder to activate. Most impressive was how each plane departed mere minutes apart, staggering their hijack timings, which sowed further confusion.

This approach ensured that ground authorities, such as the FAA and air traffic control, couldn’t respond efficiently. At the time, no one had thought of a scenario where hijackers would actually fly the planes themselves for suicide missions, which hampered decision-making even further.

Examples

• Betty Ong’s critical phone call highlighted the immediate danger aboard Flight 11.
• U.S. protocols were unprepared for coordinated hijackings, as traditional thinking assumed hostages would be the main focus of terrorists.
• Four planes launched in quick succession forced authorities to react piecemeal rather than as a coordinated force.

3. Poor Communication Hampered a Military Response

When the first plane disappeared from radar, Major Kevin Nasypany at NEADS (Northeast Air Defense Sector) assumed it was a technical problem. The military wasn’t well-positioned to deal with hijackings of domestic planes, as their radar systems and procedures weren’t integrated with FAA operations.

The lack of coordination became apparent as communication protocols failed. For instance, when Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower, NEADS heard about it from CNN’s live coverage, not official sources. This delay proved to be disastrous in formulating a defense against the remaining aircraft.

Adding to the confusion was the absence of clear guidelines for shooting down commercial airliners. Without clear evidence of where the planes were headed or their intent, military pilots were left scrambling to react effectively.

Examples

• NEADS lacked integrated radar systems with the FAA, creating information delays.
• Major Kevin Nasypany’s team was told to look for a plane that no longer existed—Flight 11 had already crashed.
• Military fighters were mistakenly sent out to sea rather than covering urban airspace due to miscommunication.

4. Victims in the Twin Towers Faced Confusion

Inside the Twin Towers, thousands of civilians misunderstood the real scope of the horror. When the North Tower was first struck, many South Tower workers were told by security that it was safe to stay inside. Evacuation orders were delayed due to the assumption that the South Tower wasn’t in direct danger.

Similarly, in the North Tower, trapped victims called 911 operators, unaware that help couldn’t reach them due to blocked stairwells. Miscommunication left some people believing rescue was close, when in reality, they were out of reach, leading to heart-wrenching choices.

In stark contrast, survivors like Stan Praimnath of the South Tower trusted their instincts and managed a harrowing escape. Yet, his survival was more luck than strategy, as official guidance often contradicted what was actually safe.

Examples

• South Tower security officials initially assured occupants that they were safe, delaying evacuations.
• 911 operators provided false hope to North Tower victims who were trapped above the impact zone.
• Stan Praimnath survived because of individual decisions rather than coordinated emergency responses.

5. United Flight 93 Passengers Changed History

United Flight 93’s passengers made a collective decision to fight back, knowing their hijacking was part of a larger plan. Late departures gave passengers access to critical news about attacks on the World Trade Center, creating a sense of duty among them.

Todd Beamer became a symbol of resilience, using the rallying cry, “Let’s roll,” to inspire passengers to reclaim the plane. While they couldn’t regain control, their brave actions forced the hijackers to crash the plane in Pennsylvania instead of reaching its intended target, likely the Capitol or White House.

Their sacrifice saved countless lives on the ground, becoming one of the most potent examples of heroism from that day. The passengers showed unity, courage, and quick thinking even in impossible circumstances.

Examples

• Todd Beamer’s phone call relayed details of the hijacking to ground staff and created a plan for resistance.
• Delayed departure allowed Flight 93 passengers to learn of the earlier attacks, motivating their decision to act.
• The crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, marked a key turning point in the day’s sequence of events.

6. First Responders Were Witnesses to Humanity’s Best and Worst

Firefighters, police officers, and EMTs entered a battlefield that defied training or imagination. Facing unimaginable heat, smoke, and decay, they became frontline witnesses to the chaos. Thousands of lives were saved due to their tireless efforts.

Yet life-saving decisions often came at great personal cost. Those who managed to evacuate victims sometimes didn’t escape themselves, as the towers collapsed quickly. For example, Ladder Company 6's men survived only because timing and location aligned in their favor.

Others, like Dr. Dave Tarantino at the Pentagon, used their training to guide survivors to safer exits amidst falling debris and fire. These responders showed that even in devastation, humanity’s instinct to save others prevails.

Examples

• Captain Jay Jonas and Ladder Company 6 slowed their escape to help a disabled woman, yet survived thanks to their location in Stairwell B.
• Firefighters climbed multiple floors of the Twin Towers despite understanding structural collapse risks.
• Dr. Dave Tarantino saved Pentagon workers by guiding them through unconventional exits.

Takeaways

1. Preserve and share stories of bravery from 9/11 to honor the victims and inspire future generations in times of crisis.
2. Invest in better communication systems between civilian and military entities to improve emergency response for unexpected threats.
3. Remember that individual actions, even in dire circumstances, can alter the course of history and exemplify courage.