25 Years Later: We Remember, We Grieve, We Carry Their Memory Forward

Today, 25 years later, I still remember the sudden shock we all felt when the planes hit the Twin Towers. Our peace was shaken, and so many innocent lives were lost. September 11, 2001, became a day that changed our country forever and left an indelible mark on the lives of millions of people.

I recently had the honor of attending Essex County’s 25th Anniversary Memorial Service honoring the lives lost during the September 11th terrorist attacks. Standing among members of our community and reflecting on that day was a powerful reminder that, even after a quarter of a century, the pain and memories remain.

In those moments, it didn’t matter how much money someone had, their social status, their political views, their race, or their ethnicity. What mattered was coming together as Americans. Neighbors helped neighbors. Strangers became sources of comfort. First responders ran toward danger while others were trying to get away. Communities came together to pray, to search, to serve, and to support one another. For a brief moment, the things that so often divide us seemed much smaller than the things that united us.

Twenty-five years later, I believe there is still something we can learn from that spirit of unity. We cannot change what happened on September 11th, but we can choose how we remember it. We can remember not only the devastation, but also the courage, compassion, sacrifice, and humanity that emerged in the aftermath.

They say grief is the essence of love that continues when someone returns to God. Today, we mourn and continue to grieve. Our hearts will never forget this day, nor the friends, neighbors, family members, first responders, and countless people whose lives were forever changed.

For the families who lost loved ones, 25 years does not erase the loss. A calendar may move forward, but grief does not always follow a timeline. There are birthdays, anniversaries, family gatherings, and ordinary moments when the absence of someone you love can still be deeply felt. That is why memorials and ceremonies like the one held in Essex County matter. They give us a place to pause. A place to remember. A place to honor those who are no longer with us. Perhaps, most importantly, they remind younger generations of the responsibility we have to preserve the stories of those who came before them.

As I stood at the memorial, I was reminded that the greatest tribute we can give those we lost is not simply to remember the date, but to carry forward the values that brought us together in the aftermath: compassion, courage, service, and love for our neighbors. My heart and prayers rest with the families of the victims of this tragedy. I pray for continued strength and comfort for all those who still carry the weight of that day. Twenty-five years later, we remember, and we will never forget.