September 11th 2001 for a Gen X'er like myself is similar to November 22nd, 1963 or even December 7th, 1941.
While the time-line below is something none of us old enough to remember that day will forget:
8:46 a.m.: Hijackers deliberately crash American Airlines Flight 11 into floors 93 through 99 of the North Tower (1 WTC).
9:03 a.m.: Hijackers deliberately crash United Airlines Flight 175 into floors 77 through 85 of the South Tower (2 WTC).
9:37 a.m.: Hijackers deliberately crash American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon, near Washington, D.C.
9:59 a.m.: The South Tower (2 WTC) collapses.
10:03 a.m.: After learning of the other attacks, passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 launch a counterattack on hijackers aboard their plane to try to seize control of the aircraft. In response, the hijackers crash the plane into an empty field near Shanksville, Pa.
10:28 a.m.: The North Tower (1 WTC) collapses. The 16-acre World Trade Center site is in ruins, with collateral damage affecting all adjacent properties and streets. A rescue and recovery effort begins immediately.
It was the morning of September 12th, 2001 that will stay with me forever.
Driving back to UW-Whitewater where I attended school early that next morning ( around 6am ) I had to go through East Troy.
I can vividly remember DOZENS of homes, the day after that horrific event, that had American Flags in their yards.
Photo: Getty Image