Sept. 11, 2015, marks 14 years since four airliners were hijacked costing 2,977 lives, including the 19 hijackers.

Two of the planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, the third plane hit the Pentagon just outside of Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field located in Pennsylvania.

Out of all four of the planes, there were no survivors.

At 8:45 a.m. the first plane containing 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the 110-story north tower skyscraper. The impact burned a massive hole near the 80th floor, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping many more located on higher floors. News vans arrived and began broadcasting what was thought to be a devastating accident.

At 9:03 a.m., just 18 minutes later, broadcasters shot live images of a second plane turning sharply, aiming for the south tower of the World Trade Center, creating a massive explosion near the 60th floor.

The collision showered debris and burning ash all over New York City’s busy streets and America began to realize that this was not an accident.

Nineteen Islamic terrorists from Saudi Arabia and several other Arab nations were reportedly financed by Saudi fugitive Osama Bin Laden’s al-Qaeda terrorist organization.

Although there is no proof, it is supposed that these 19 terrorists were allegedly acting in retaliation for America’s support of Israel, its involvement in the Persian Gulf War, and for its continued military presence in the Middle East.

As millions of Americans grievously watched the occurring events on television, at 9:45 a.m., the third plane (Flight 77) crashed into the Pentagon military headquarters. The jet fuel caused a portion of the giant concrete building to collapse, becoming a devastating inferno.

Not even 15 minutes later, the south tower of the World Trade Center took a catastrophic regression and collapsed to ashes, dust, and smoke while swallowing New York City.

At 10:30 a.m. the north tower followed suit.

The two structural steel skyscrapers were both built to withstand winds in excess of 200 mph, according to Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth, but could not withstand the tremendous heat generated by the burning jet fuel.

The fourth plane, Flight 93, was delayed and hijacked about 40 minutes after taking flight. Passengers on board figured out what was happening and planned an insurrection.

There are reported phone calls linking to passengers of Flight 93.

A passenger on board, Mr. Thomas Burnett Jr., told his wife over the phone, “I know we’re all going to die. There’s three of us who are going to do something about it. I love you, honey.”

Another passenger, Mr. Todd Beamer, was reported saying over an open line, “Are you guys ready? Let’s roll.”

Flight Attendant Sandy Bradshaw called her husband explaining, “Everyone’s running to first class. I’ve got to go. Bye.” Bradshaw had slipped into a galley and filled pitchers with boiling water.

Passengers of the plane then fought the four hijackers aboard and are believed to have attacked the cockpit with a fire extinguisher.

At 10:10 a.m., Flight 93 flipped over and sped toward the ground at around 500 miles per hour crashing into a field in western Pennsylvania.

Theories are believed to be that the plane’s intended targets included the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, or one of the several nuclear power plants along the eastern seaboard, but its target is unknown. All 45 passengers were killed.

At 9:00 p.m., President George W. Bush spoke of the devastating events that had occurred.

“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America,” Bush said. “These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”

Then, in reference to the eventual U.S. military response, he declared, “We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.”

Nearly 3,000 people died, including a staggering 343 firefighters, eight paramedics, and 60 police officers, all of whom were struggling to save and complete the evacuation of the buildings.

Almost 10,000 others were treated for severe and minor injuries.

Sept. 11, 2001, was the deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the history of the United States.

Of the people America lost that day, Kearsley High School lost a graduate — Mr. Eric Bennett.

Bennett graduated in 1989.

Mr. Brian Clark, business teacher, was a friend of Bennett’s since sixth grade and graduated with Bennett.

“He was known to be very smart and active,” Clark said. “He was in KATZ and played varsity football, earning a full-ride scholarship to Ferris State University.”

Bennett earned a computer science degree at Ferris.

At the time of Bennett’s death, he was a vice president at one of the companies located in the towers.

In respect, Kearsley has hung a plaque above the 9/11 memorial stone, located in front of the office, to remember Bennett.

Only six people in the World Trade Center towers at the time of their collapse survived.