On each anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, two words are often spoken about that horrific day when America was attacked – Never Forget!

Never forget the innocent men, women and children flying in the planes that Islamic extremists used as weapons of mass destruction to hit the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Thousands of citizens who worked there perished.

Never forget the first responders – the policemen, fire fighters and Port Authority personnel – who ran into the burning buildings to save as many lives as possible. Many of them died in the line of duty.

Never forget the passengers on Flight 93 who stormed the cockpit to stop the hijackers, preventing an attack likely planned for the White House or U.S. Capitol. Like the first responders, they were ordinary people who became heroes on 9/11.

Never forget individuals like Ronald Fazio who worked on the 99th floor of the World Trade Center Tower #2, who watched in horror as the first plane hit a few floors below his office. Ron started screaming for people to run to a stairwell. He went to the other side of the floor to make sure others were getting out, holding the door for them. Co-workers later learned that Ron didn’t make it out.

We will never forget Sept. 11, 2001, for the same reason we will never forget Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. I learned after 9/11 that the Islamic extremists who plotted the terror attack on American soil may not have chosen a random date on the calendar.

Some historians pointed out that it’s possible the terrorists were implying that they had not forgotten the Battle of Vienna – a turning point in the Ottoman Empire’s invasion of Europe. According to a BBC religion report, the Ottoman Empire, one of the largest and longest lasting empires in history, was “inspired and sustained by Islam.” But, they lost the Battle of Vienna, which began on Sept. 11, 1683.

Never forget that even though evil caused suffering and tragedy, God did not leave or forsake us when those planes hit the Twin Towers and Pentagon about 9 a.m. Mark 15:25 says, “And it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.” God loved us so much that at 9 o’clock in the morning more than 2,000 years ago at Calvary, He was giving His only Son to die in our place for our sins.

Never forget that on that dark day in history, Jesus Christ hung on a Roman cross and for six hours experienced the most excruciating pain imaginable, so you and I can receive forgiveness and salvation.

A comforting poem by an anonymous author titled “Meet Me in the Stairwell” was emailed across the nation. Written as though a message from God, it said, “You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news on Sept. 11, 2001. Neither will I…I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help…. I was at the base of the building with the priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls.”

Knowing that the terrorists keep trying to find a way to attack us again, let us never forget to pray for America and everyone in harm’s way as they protect us.