09/11/2026
If you watched the events of September 11, 2001, on television, you can probably remember exactly where you were when you heard the news. You can probably remember what you thought and what you felt. And you can probably explain to anyone why that day matters and what it means to you.
But what about those who didn’t watch? As strange as it may sound, there are millions of Americans who have no memory of that awful day. Maybe they were too young. Maybe they weren’t born yet.
What does September 11 mean to them?
Recently, a colleague of mine shared an essay that his young adult daughter had written about September 11. She is one of the many who do not remember a “before.” She has only known an “after.” So, her perspective is different from mine, and from all those who are older. But a different perspective is a valuable thing, because it helps us better appreciate things we may have come to take for granted.
I was very moved by her words. So, to honor all those who suffered or sacrificed on that day, I’d like to share them with you. I think it’s a wonderful message about why remembering September 11 gives us a greater appreciation, and deeper understanding, of what truly matters.
The first time I remember hearing the word 9/11, I was six years old. It was the ten-year anniversary of the event that changed the US forever. It wasn’t until a few years later that I really understood what 9/11 was. A lot of the time, there were two words attached to 9/11 that adults in my life used. The “Before” and the “After.”
I grew up not knowing the “before” they were talking about, because this was just the way things were. But growing up in the “after” means there are a few words I’ve come to understand better as I’ve learned more about 9/11.
First, is the word Sacrifice. Sacrifice is not born from obligation; it comes from men and women who see a need and choose to fill it, even at the cost of their own lives. In the tragedy of 9/11, we saw heroes step forward. Hundreds of firefighters, police officers, and paramedics, to be exact. They all made the choice to go into the buildings to save any lives they could. Sacrifice changes the world in ways that we might not see, but I will be forever grateful to people I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting for what they did.
There’s a quote by the author David Levithan about sacrifice and our connection to it: “What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met.”
Second, is the word Freedom. In the words of Franklin D Roosevelt, “In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.”
That Freedom was achieved for the first time in 1783, but it has been fought for again and again by America and it will continue to be fought for. In the wake of the September 11th attacks, the mayor of New York City at the time of the attacks said this:
“The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead, we have emerged stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic and religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life. We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom.”
Third, is Hope. I absolutely adore words, so I went and looked at all the versions of Hope in several languages and dictionaries, and I think I’ve come up with my own definition. Hope is not an abandoned dream we outgrew; it is not a broken system and ignorance combined, it is not naïve, stupid, nor simple.
Hope is not easy.
Hope is the ability to get back up again, hold onto something impossible, and face odds beyond reason still standing tall.
Throughout American history, Hope has always prevailed. At the beginning, the odds of gaining Freedom from Britain were not in our favor. Winning the Revolutionary War was almost laughable. Surviving as a country for 250 years with the same constitution it was founded on was unheard of. Recovering from terrorist attacks, world wars and tragedies beyond number should not be possible.
Hope is the foundation of America, and it will continue to be a foundation we build on. Because so long as we Hope, no matter the next tragedy we face, we will not only survive but become stronger.
Between Sacrifice, Freedom, and Hope, our country will continue to get back up in the face of tragedy. United we stand, forever indivisible with Liberty and Justice for all.
I hope you have a safe and peaceful National Day of Service and Remembrance (yes, that is the full name because words are important). Thank you to all of the men and women who Sacrificed for us to observe it today.
I hope you have a safe and peaceful day, too. May we never forget.
