LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In the last 22 years, Americans and the world have remembered the immense tragedy that befell the U.S.A. when terrorists hijacked 

“On September 11, 2001, terrorists killed nearly 3,000 people and injured more than 6,000 others in the worst attack against the homeland in our nation’s history. Today we honor their memories and stand with the families and friends of those who perished in New York City, Arlington, Virginia, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. 

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In the Wolverine State, there were 42 individuals who lost their lives with Michigan connections according to the Michigan Remembers 9-11 Fund, a private 501(c)(3) charity that accepts donations to help run events like “Run to Remember” events and travel for Michigan’s first responders to the World Trade Center for 9/11 events.  

“It has been our mission to recognize every person from Michigan who lost their lives on September 11, 2001,” said Patrick L. Anderson, one of the founders of the Michigan Remembers 9/11 Fund and a survivor of the New York City attacks. “We intend to make sure their names and their stories are not forgotten, no matter how many years pass.”

For the list and brief biographies of those who lost their lives from Michigan, see here. 

Of the four commercial aircraft taken over by Islamist terrorist members of the group Al-Qaeda, three of them met their destination, the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City, and one crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. The fourth plane instead crashed into a Pennsylvania field, some presume another federal building was the intended target. It never made it to its target because passengers took over the plane and sacrificed their lives aboard United Flight 93. 

One of the 44 aboard who lost their lives aboard the plane was Todd Beamer – a native of Flint – who is often remembered for his last words on a phone call aboard the plane leading up to a passenger revolt to retake control of the hijacked Boeing 757 plane over Pennsylvania. 

“Are you guys ready?” the operator heard before the connection was lost according to the Chicago Tribune. “Let’s roll!”

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 “Let’s roll” were words that confirmed for Beamer’s wife, Lisa Beamer, it was her husband. 

“He uses that with our little boys all the time,” she said according to the Chicago Tribune “When I heard that part of the conversation, I knew that was Todd.”

According to the Tour of Honor, Michigan has more than 25 of the total 1200 locations that have memorials to 9/11 throughout the country. 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer paid homage to the many that lost their lives on September 11, 2001 on social media with some reflections about 9/11. 

“On Patriot Day, we honor the Americans who lost their lives and the brave first responders who came to their aid,” she said in a tweet, “On this somber day, let’s remember what unites us: our fundamental values of liberty and freedom, and commit to building a brighter future for our kids.” 

The state hosts several events including the Lansing Remembers – an annual event in which the City of Lansing honors and remembers those who lost their lives, their families, and survivors at Wentworth Park.