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It has been 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks killed 2,977 people in New York City, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Events will be held across Philadelphia and the country to commemorate those lost that day, as well as in the months and years after due to illness from the toxic air and in service abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Philadelphia first commemorated the 9/11 attacks nine days after they occurred, when City Council formally honored the victims and recognized members of Philadelphia’s Heavy Rescue 1 and Philadelphia Housing Authority personnel who went to New York to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.
This year, remembrances include quiet reflection, community-building races, days of service and neighborhood vigils.
But for most of us, remembrance comes in quiet moments between school drop-offs and commuting to and from work, when we look up at clear blue skies or see an airplane above or board a train.
We asked you: How has 9/11 changed the way you live, the way Philadelphia works or the way you think about the future?
Dozens of you sent us your reflections on what we lost, learned or gained — or what you hope the next generation does differently. We’ve compiled your thoughts below according to themes we noticed you all shared.
Seeking to serve
As emergency workers from across the region rushed to New York City and Arlington, Virginia, on that day 25 years ago, Walter Tsou sat in Philadelphia’s Emergency Response Center as the Philadelphia Health Department representative.
“I was waiting to help coordinate the expected overflow of injured from the collapse of the Twin Towers. Hospitals were on alert expecting a cavalcade of ambulances down the NJ Turnpike, but alas there was no overflow. No one survived.”
That need to serve also hit average citizens like Janet Givens.
“My husband and I (ages 64 and 54) were so reviled by the U.S.’ march to war, we joined the Peace Corps,” Givens wrote.
Growing up in the aftermath
Josh Herman was 10 years old, 15 days before his birthday and confused by the fact that recess was canceled on an otherwise gorgeous day and that “kids at the lunch table – the ones who did hear somewhat of what had unfolded – said it had to do with terrorists, which was the first time I heard that word.”
“My mom grabbed my older brother (who was in middle school), my younger sister (who was in a grade below me), and myself out of school for fear of our safety,” Herman said. “When my classmates heard I was getting out, they begged me to come back and tell them what happened, but I couldn’t go back. When I met my mom, I asked what happened, and she said the World Trade Center had fallen, which was surreal for me, because the year before we were just there on vacation.”
For Grace Krueger, being born in 2000, she only heard stories and “lived most of my life after 9/11.”
“Despite that, I often feel strange, immense grief for the world as it was before that fateful day. How can it be that I mourn for something I’ve never known…for the idea of something?”
Now a father himself, Herman uses his memory of what it was like processing such traumas as a kid to inform how he raises his son with hope.
“You watch movies and TV shows of crazy stuff happening, but when you’re a kid, you’re not thinking of heartbreaking and tragic stuff like that about to occur in real life,” he said. “From that day on, you kind of thought things were going off the rails and worried about what other things may happen soon enough – which sure enough they came with endless wars, two recessions, the election, [as well as] the COVID pandemic, the January 6th coup, etc.”
“Now that I have a kid though, I have to be hopeful that the future may get better someday soon for his sake,” said Herman. “He’s inherited a world where the one I knew growing up, is gone. But I can only hope that his childhood isn’t marred with the same tragedy that tainted mine and others my age.”
Diana Pope said she has hopes for her grandsons’ future, too.
“It makes me sad that my two grandsons have known only the world of security checks, inherently adding to a feeling of insecurity,” Pope said. “I hope we can grow out of this evidence of cowardice, and resume a life where we brave the world without being incessantly checked for weapons.”
For Tina F. Hogan, growing up was more psychological. She wrote that she realized that people in power can “lie to us constantly, consistently, and with malice of forethought.”
“I grew up and started paying attention to the damage we do in our world,” Hogan told us. “Mostly in the name of money.”
Always on alert
“Since September 11, 2001, I have become more aware of the sky. Whenever I see or hear an airplane, I look up to watch it,” wrote Jacquelyn Davis.
“I no longer go to the airport just to hang out, nor do I arrive minutes before take-off, check my bag, board my flight, and find my bag emerging quickly at baggage claim,” noted Steven Profit.
“Since 9/11, I check to see where the Emergency Exits are in EVERY building I go into,” said Sharon Rafferty. “I always keep my cell phone charged at 100%.”
“Mourn the loss of our freedoms”
Wondering where the people whose lives were lost would be now is sobering for many readers, as is the loss to freedoms that many of you remember.
“We lost the futures of so many hardworking people from all walks of life from New York and around the world,” wrote Jessica Morton.
“While I mourn the lives lost that day, I particularly mourn the loss of our freedoms enacted into law,” added Christine Moretti. “Big Brother has become too intrusive towards our citizens.”
“9/11 cost us our sense of unlimited freedom,” echoed Andrew Demchick, director of advancement and engagement at the American Jewish Committee of Philadelphia and South New Jersey. “We now face the same threats, challenges and fears as the rest of the world, with our shores no longer offering the same sense of security.”
Steven Profit, who noted earlier how his pre-flight airport routine changed, added that there is also a sense of mourning for how “broadly, 9/11 and the U.S.’ military and policy responses to it have catalyzed the decline of U.S. military power while providing a pretext for the abuse of that power.”
We are all connected
For many BP readers, the past 25 years have demonstrated how connected we all are, regardless of country boundaries or age, religion or any other difference. And that the unity many felt in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 is something we can still seek in our daily lives.
“I think 9/11 showed us that injustice and pain anywhere in the world can have tsunami effects on everyone,” said Charmaine Chan. “Initiating connection rather than division is the only way to create peace in the world.”
“I learned that innocent people are vulnerable to both hate and love – the hate and evil actions of fanatics, and the love and kindness of strangers like the residents of Gander Newfoundland who opened their hearts, homes and wallets to help 7,000 travelers find respite for five days,” wrote Beth Lazer.
