PORTLAND (WGME) – It’s been 20 years since the 9/11 attacks, and for many, the memories remain clear.

Then-Governor Angus King was trying to make sense of what was happening.

With scenes of devastation on the TV monitors behind them, Maine’s leaders gathered at the National Guard headquarters in Augusta on 9/11.

“This is a dark moment in American history,” King said.

The day is hard to forget. Business and government came to a standstill, workers rushed home and buildings were evacuated.

There was no specific threat in Maine, but the fear was real.

Late that night, King was among the first in Maine to learn that some of the terrorists, including ringleader Mohammad Atta, had been in Maine at the Portland Jetport.

“That was a shock on top of a shock,” King said. “Because those people killed 3,000 people that day. If they could’ve killed 3 million, they would have.”

As we look back on the dark memories and lessons of 9/11, we can’t forget the light.

Because even in those first chaotic hours of fear and anger, as our nation was knocked down, it was already clear we wouldn’t stay down.

“We were being deluged with calls from doctors, nurses, first responders in Maine who wanted to go to New York, who wanted to be there to try to help out,” King said. “So we were coordinating that.”

A lot of people did find ways to help, whether getting in the long lines to donate blood or dropping off food at their local fire department. The unity of purpose we had after 9/11 is something else many of us will never forget.