By Sen. Matt Harrington

It’s hard to believe it’s been 22 years since the terror attacks on September 11, 2001. Those tragic events killed thousands of people on American soil. To this day, September 11 was one of the most traumatic and influential days in my lifetime. Not only for me, but also for millions of people across the globe.

Twenty-two years later, I can still remember exactly where I was on that day.

Hello, this is Senator Matt Harrington of York County. It’s my pleasure to join you for this week’s Republican Radio Address.

Kids had just gone back to school. I woke up as I did every other morning and joined my high school classmates. I was sitting in Freshman Spanish class when a student behind me announced that a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center. Confusion and emotion filled the classroom as reality sunk in. It was 8:46 a.m. and American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Before we even had a chance to process what happened, the second tower was hit minutes later by United Airlines Flight 175 at 9:03 a.m. Then the Pentagon was hit and, finally, the last plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. A total of more than 3,000 fellow Americans were killed that day or from injuries since.

September 11 was an unprecedented attack on American soil, one we had never seen before. I watched the news coverage as Americans witnessed the heroic actions of our first responders – firefighters, EMS personnel, police officers, doctors and nurses – who rushed to help as the buildings burned above them, many of them sacrificing their own lives trying to rescue someone else.

In the immediate days following 9/11, we all witnessed the spirit of this nation. It didn’t matter if you were a Republican, Democrat or Unenrolled. What mattered is that we were all Americans – banding together to grieve the tragic loss of so many innocent lives. We remembered and honored the brave men and women who willingly risked their lives on that day, many who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Yet today, it feels as though those memories are starting to fade. In fact, many people who voted in this past election weren’t even born yet when 9/11 happened.

That day changed my life. I was in high school at the time and all I could think was how something this horrific could happen in America. It convinced me that I wanted to pursue a career in public safety. I’ve spent the past 20 years as a firefighter, advanced EMT and a police officer.

Unfortunately, it seems that today we’ve forgotten the sense of unity, mutual respect and common decency that became part of our ethos as a nation in the days, weeks and months after 9/11. Rhetoric, social media and partisan politics threaten to tear us apart. But we must remember that we are stronger together.

As we reflect on another anniversary of this infamous tragedy, I’m asking us all to take a moment and reflect. Let’s put the partisanship aside and remember the great American spirit. Let’s pay tribute to the men and women who gave their lives not only on 9/11, but in the years to follow as we fought the War on Terror.

So many Americans have demonstrated heroism, selflessness and bravery in the years since the Twin Towers fell. We will never forget those first responders, civilians, veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much since that day.

That is who we are as a nation. We’re a nation built with strong, patriotic men and women who are willing to fight to preserve our freedom. As we mark the day 22 years later, I invite you to reflect on what 9/11 means to you.

Again, this is Senator Matt Harrington of York County. Thank you for listening.

Senator Matthew Harrington represents District 33, which includes four communities in York County. He is the Senate Republican Lead for the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.