The Tragic Events of 9/11 Through the Lens of a Former RBDF Marine

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – It was a day nobody saw coming.

The 9/11 terrorist attacks brought down the World Trade Center’s twin towers, and blew a hole in the United States Pentagon complex.

The fourth plane was headed for the U.S. Capital, according to officials.

However, the aircraft went down in Pennsylvania after passengers and crew members stormed the cockpit and fought the hijackers.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed, and here in the Bahamas, the shock and pain of that day hit close to home.

Kazimu Ellis was a Defense Force Marine when the attacks occurred in 2001, and says he remembers exactly where he was that fateful day.

Meanwhile, even though this happened overseas, tensions and fear were high at home.

Marines were immediately deployed to potential high-target locations around the capital, including the U.S. Embassy and then Nassau International Airport.

Kasimu Ellis – Former Marine

“Here it is two planes hit two buildings downtown New York City, the height of the day in the morning, the world just came to an end.”

From a security standpoint, it changed the world and the way we traveled.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, was founded in the wake of the tragedy.

Their job is to manage the security of transportation systems within and connecting to the United States.

Kasimu Ellis – Former Marine

“Literally before then you were able to walk on a plane with probably a box cutter, a pen, knife or even water.”

Ellis was then employed full time at the Embassy as a security specialist following the attacks, where it was there he learned the true impact.

25 years later, the impact remains the same, the memories of those lost cherished, and the world forever changed.