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September 11, 2026
Dear Subscriber,
Good morning MPA and Port of Baltimore,
Today we are all remembering one of the darkest days in American history. As Secretary Thomson stated in her message yesterday, most of us remember exactly where we were when we saw the first news reports of a plane flying into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York. As we learned that plane was American Airlines Flight 11, a second plane, United Airlines Flight 175, struck the South Tower only 17 minutes later.
Later that morning, American Flight 77 and United Flight 93 crashed into the Pentagon and into an empty Pennsylvania field (reportedly headed for Washington, DC), respectively. The images that we saw that day were unfathomable and unforgettable. In total, 2,977 people lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
At our own World Trade Center, we have been the home to Maryland's official 9/11 memorial since the tenth anniversary in 2011. The memorial recounts the events of that fateful day and remembers the 69 Marylanders who lost their lives in the attacks. It includes three intertwined steel beams from the Twin Towers, limestone from the Pentagon, and granite from Flight 93. Additionally, the Top of the World visitor's floor in our building contains poignant artifacts from that day.
Over the years, one of the lessons that we've learned from 9/11 is vigilance. Please continue to always be cognizant of your surroundings and practice situational awareness. If you work in our World Trade Center or on our public terminals and you notice something that appears to be unusual or concerning, promptly notify building security (for the WTC) or call the Maryland Transportation Authority Police at 410-537-7911.
Please consider taking a moment today to remember and honor all the lives lost from September 11, 2001, the families that were forever impacted, and the courage and sacrifices made by the brave first responders and others who prevented even more tragedy. May their memories be everlasting.
Thoughtfully,
Samantha J. Biddle
Interim Executive Director
Maryland Port Administration
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