This collection of letters was published in the Butler Eagle on Sept. 8, 2022.

The Eagle asked readers to submit articles about their thoughts on the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Here is what some people wrote:

As Sept. 11 approaches, one year after the World Trade Center attacks, the Pentagon attack, and the airplane that went down not far from where we live, we can only remember the thousands of people who were killed for no reason.

I remember that day like it was yesterday, and I'm sure I'll never forget it. When I saw that first airplane plunge into the World Trade Center and be engulfed in flames, I felt numb.

I'm not sure I knew what to think. Was it on purpose or was it accidental? Then seeing the second one crash into the second tower, I knew it was planned. You knew someone had deliberately killed all those people.

I think "Why?" was the question on everybody's mind. Why, and who did this? No matter what happened, you couldn't take your eyes from the television, no matter how horrible. You just had to watch to see what else happened.

I know I feared for my family. I wanted to be with them, and I never wanted to let my children out of my sight.

Everyone came together. People who didn't talk on a daily basis were calling each other making sure they were OK. Just hearing their voices soothed every one.

I cannot begin to imagine knowing someone who was on the airplanes or in the Trade Center. The pain they must have felt, and the hatred for the people responsible for this.

I am very proud of how we as Americans came together when our country was in despair. For a few days there were no murders, no rapes and no riots. We, as Americans, behaved ourselves to mourn the Americans who died.

The way the other countries reached out their hands to stand united in helping our country was heartwarming. To see us all stand together made us stronger than ever.

I know now, because of 9/11, we all look over our shoulders a little more, and are a little more cautious than before. When we hear things that have happened in the news, we wonder just slightly why? Why has this happened, and why us, why them? What did we ever do to deserve something as horrific as this?

Patti Kinser, Mount Chestnut

On that fateful day, my life was not impacted as much as those of my son, Bob, and my daughter-in-"heart," Karen, who lost a beloved uncle, Father Mychal Judge.

He was the priest in New York City who was the chaplain of the fire department. He was killed by falling debris while ministering to a fallen fireman.

Many articles have been written concerning his dedication, and the photograph of him being carried out of the area by firemen is in several books. His death certificate is Number One.

Oprah invited my son to her program on a day they were viewing famous photographs of the tragedy, such as the flag-raising. The photograph of Father Mychal was included, and she interviewed Bob concerning "Unk."

Even though he was actually Karen's uncle, Bob considered him his uncle also. He had lunch with him the week before he died.

Father Mychal is missed by our whole family, as he also touched our lives on the many occasions we saw him. He traveled to Butler to participate in the memorial service when my husband died.

I will always remember Dec. 7, 1941, and now Sept. 11, 2001.

Jacqueline Rogers, Butler

Sept. 11 was a very hard day for the nation. How it impacted me might be no different than anyone else, but it might be different as well.

It started at school. During my first class, I was sitting at my desk and suddenly another teacher ran into our room and told us to turn on our television. We proceeded to do so, and we saw it and it was a horrible site. We watched it all unfold.

When the second plane hit we all figured it out. This was a planned terrorist attack. We watched the television for about two hours, watching everyone run from the huge debris cloud as it sped down the street.

We participated in what we could, bringing water, batteries, socks and things that could be used at Ground Zero. That week we participated also in the Pledge Across America.

We were all shocked, just as the world was. We were deeply saddened by this event, and personally I can't believe it's almost been a year.

I have been displaying the American Flag on shirts and clothing. I still can't believe that somebody would have that cold of a heart to do such a horrible thing.

We still need to be praying for the people in New York City, but we really need to pray for the people who need it most - the people who did this to us.

God Bless America.

Center Township resident

Since the traumatic events of 9/11, I have more respect for our country and the officials, firemen and police who risk their lives to defend it.

The teamwork and effort that our country exhibited after that makes me proud to be a citizen of the United States.

Four months after this terrible event, my family and I went to see Ground Zero. My heart sank at the sight of the aftermath.

I said a prayer for the victims and their families and thought to myself, "How could someone take so many innocent lives?"

Visiting the site put a new perspective on how I see the world and makes me feel grateful for my freedom and the people who risk their lives every day to protect it.

My heart goes out to all the victims, families and brave fallen people who helped during the crisis. My prayers are with them all.

Elizabeth M. Lees, Saxonburg

I will never forget Sept. 11, 2001. I was planning to leave Atlanta that morning.

My daughter called me on the way home from an early morning meeting to tell me that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. She asked me to turn on CNN and get the details. As she came in the door, we watched another plane crash into the second tower. I insisted that we still go to the airport, as I was flying back to Butler.

I said I would be fine.

My late husband fought in World War II and Korea. My son fought in Vietnam. A plane crash, even two, would not prevent my trip home.

However, on the way to the airport, we heard about the other two flights, the crash in Somerset County and the one at the Pentagon. I was still willing to fly, but as we approached the airport, the sign flashed "Airport Closed."

As we turned around, we heard on the radio that for the first time in history, the Federal Aviation Administration had closed all airports in the United States.

The closest we ever came to that moment was during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when we had to shut down flights on the West Coast. I remember both events.

While the events on 9/11 were a tragedy, the real tragedy would be to stop flying to visit my family. I will not let terrorism change my way of life as I approach my 80th birthday.

Anne Hallahan Synowsky, Butler

On Sept. 9 of last year, we left New York on a cruise ship for Bermuda, viewing the beautiful skyline including the Twin Towers. We sailed away. Little did we know that two days later that beautiful sight would be a memory.

On the morning of Sept. 11, one of the passengers on the ship made us aware of what he had heard on TV, but not too much was said about it at that point.

However, as the day progressed, the New York attack was all everyone was talking about and few left their cabins. Everyone was glued to CNN.

By the day's end, the cruise ship was surrounded by armed guards in smaller boats, and the island of Bermuda was infiltrated with National Guard members carrying rifles. It was rather scary.

This year, we will again be on a cruise ship over Sept. 11. I don't know what will be planned for the anniversary, but we will be dressed in our red, white and blue to show our patriotism and remembrance of that history-making event.

Marjorie and Champ Storch, Slippery Rock

For me, Sept. 11 was a reawakening.

I think we often take too much for granted. We get up every day and do our busy routines, and what is most important is often crowded out.

I always knew that my first priority should be what is controlling my heart and who should be Number One in my life. Sept. 11 made me realize that my top priority was to examine my heart and ask God to be Number One in my life.

No matter what my circumstances are in my life, I must be about my Father's business of bringing others to know the one who gives us the true lasting hope and future. I think we as a nation should realize how blessed we are and recognize where our true freedom comes from.

My priorities have been readjusted, and I pray that others will share this same experience.

Diane Lynn, Butler

It took weeks for the shock to wear down, to soften enough that I didn't flinch at every sound overhead or worry over a peculiar odor in the air.

My faith in this country was strengthened by everything I saw around me. I knew we would find places we had slipped up on our defenses, but I also felt we'd fix them so this kind of horror would not happen again.

My family and friends became even more precious to me as I watched the grief unfolding before my eyes daily on television. Within a few days of the disaster, I began to take photos of the different types of patriotic displays I saw everywhere.

At first it was just because I wanted to preserve this little bit of history in the making. I am an antique dealer, so protecting things is natural to me.

Along with my photos, I began to snip newspaper articles and collect magazine covers and political cartoons sent to me over the Internet. In short order, I began to assemble all these and put together a memorial scrapbook. Friends and family who learned of my mission began to give me things to include.

I have bought and sold these scrapbooks over the years, from decades past. In future years, I wanted my own grandchildren to see what had happened and the aftermath.

I decided to add to it for one year. On the anniversary date I would put final papers and pictures in and consider it done.

I know all too well that this war on terrorism will be continuing into my grandchildren's adulthood. So I will complete this scrapbook with a letter to them, telling them to stay strong and keep the faith - that in the long run good always triumphs over evil, that we still have the best country in the world to live in, and that it is worth their love, loyalty, prayers and pride.

Ellen G. King, Hilliards