In the US , they were described as the major heroes of the September 11 terrorist attacks by author William Strauss . The firefighters and police responding to the attacks were predominantly Generation Xers . Additionally , the leaders of the passenger revolt on United Airlines Flight 93 were predominantly Gen Xers . Author Neil Howe reported survey data showed Gen Xers were cohabitating and getting married in increasing numbers following the terrorists attacks , with Gen X survey respondents reporting they no longer wanted to live alone . In October 2001 , '' Seattle Post-Intelligencer '' wrote of Generation Xers : " now they could be facing the most formative events of their lives and their generation " . The '' Greensboro News & Record '' reported Gen Xers " felt a surge of patriotism since terrorists struck " reporting many were responding to the crisis of the terrorist attacks by giving blood , working for charities , donating to charities , and by joining the military to fight The War on Terror . '' The Jury Expert '' , a publication of The American Society of Trial Consultants , reported : " Gen X members responded to the terrorist attacks with bursts of patriotism and national fervor that surprised even themselves "
United Airlines Flight 93
United Airlines Flight 93
Generation X