The scene as the passenger jetliners crashed into several of our nation’s most symbolic structures is forever etched in our minds.

We remember the fear and uncertainty we felt that morning when four passenger airliners were hijacked by 19 Al-Qaeda terrorists that crashed into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon, in Arlington County, Virginia, and into a field near Shanksville.In honor of the 14th anniversary of that fateful morning of Sept. 11, 2001, a crowd gathered for a Patriot’s Day 9/11 memorial service Friday morning in the Josiah White Park in Jim Thorpe.The service, conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, was open to all emergency services, such as fire, police and ambulance personnel, Veterans Organizations, and the public.Harry J. Wynn III, senior vice commander of the American Legion 30th District in Carbon County, welcomed those in attendance.Wynn said the purpose of the service was to remember that awful day that happened 14 years ago, and especially all those who continue to guard us around the clock.Carbon County Commissioner Tom Gerhard said that while that day may have broken our hearts, it didn’t break our country’s spirit.Gerhard said that day brought about an awareness and unification of our country.