The images of September 11, 2001 are forever burned into our collective memory
The reports on every news station playing over and over
The planes striking the World Trade Center, first one, then the other
American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower at 8:46 a.m.
A tragic error? Nobody knew at first
United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower at 9:03 a.m.
And then we knew -- this was no error
As our brains struggled to comprehend what was happening
American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m.
Flames and smoke filled the Virginia air
As black smoke continued rising into the New York sky
Brave firefighters and police officers rushed into the burning buildings
On a day filled with unthinkables, the South Tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m.
As panic filled the air in New York and Arlington
A struggle for life was taking place in the sky
As passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 fought back
Against the terrorist hijackers who'd taken control of their plane
Todd Beamer uttered the words, "Are you guys ready? Let's Roll!"
An American hero whose actions may have saved many lives
As they fought for their own lives
Flight 93 crashed to the ground near Shanksville, Pa. at 10:03 a.m.
Amid thick smoke and chaos, the North Tower collapsed at 10:28 a.m.
Taking the lives of public heroes and unknown Americans
And America watched, knowing life would never be the same
But the American spirit is strong
The American flag became our symbol
Raised above the rubble of the World Trade Center
Raised above the Pentagon
Raised above the hallowed ground in Pennsylvania
Raised above homes across America
The symbol of our freedom and endurance
Hope for the future, strength to move forward
Hands held, voices raised in prayer
"Never Forget," we whispered to ourselves
"Never Forget," we prayed together
"Never Forget," became America's battle cry
As our lives were forever divided
Into before ... and after 9/11/01
