25 Years Later: May We Never Forget

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where we tragically lost 2,977 Americans.

We still celebrate the bravery of the first responders and heroes who performed admirably in the aftermath. We remember those who ran toward the danger while everyone else was, understandably, trying to get away.

We remember the families whose lives were changed forever. And we remember the additional thousands who would eventually suffer the consequences of that day because of their exposure to the toxins at Ground Zero. That story continues to unfold to this day.

But on this 25th anniversary, there’s another question we must ask: Have we forgotten?

“Never forget” has become almost synonymous with September 11. But 25 years is a long time. There are now adults with even children of their own who weren’t alive when the attacks happened. I was 15 years old on September 11, 2001. Today, I’m 40. When the 50th anniversary arrives, I’ll be 65. That’s how quickly time moves.

A few years ago, I taught at a college, and I realized something that really put the passage of time into perspective: None of my students were alive on September 11, 2001. For them, it was just something they learned about. Like Pearl Harbor was for many of us. We learned about it in school, heard the stories, saw pictures and film reels, but obviously, experiencing a moment in history firsthand is completely different from reading about it in a textbook.

I was reminded of that this morning while driving my daughter to school. We were talking about the 25th anniversary, and I mentioned the I Survived series of books she likes to read. The subjects tell the stories of survivors of tragedies, such as I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912. As you can probably guess, there’s an I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001.

And to a child, September 11 is something that happened a long time ago. For me, it was a Tuesday morning I remember, maybe more vividly than I’d like. But we all have a responsibility to make sure September 11 doesn’t simply become another chapter in a history book. Something we know was bad but doesn’t really resonate like it did – or like it should.

For all of the terrible things that came out of September 11, there was also something remarkable that happened in those days and weeks afterward: America came together.

The political divisions that seem so all-consuming today didn’t necessarily disappear, but they were certainly put into perspective. People of all colors and creeds stood together as Americans. We prayed together. We grieved together. We recognized that, regardless of our political party or our disagreements, we were Americans first. It was a special moment in history born out of our worst tragedy.

These days it’s easy to look around and think about how hostile and divided we’ve become. Even something as simple as a U.S. Senator saying something kind about a colleague on the other side of the aisle can become surprising.

But there was a time, particularly in the days following September 11, when Americans understood that our disagreements didn’t have to define us. We should remember that. In fact, we need to rediscover that, and sooner rather than later.

The greatest tribute we can give those who died on September 11 may be to make sure their stories aren’t forgotten, and to make sure the lessons of that day aren’t lost with the generations that experienced it firsthand.

We still remember. We still honor. And we must never forget.

Today’s Sekulow broadcast included more discussion of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the post-9/11 atmosphere in America and what has happened since, and the ACLJ’s legal work to help keep America safe. We also spoke with Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik, who wrote and performed the song “Superman,” which became an anthem for first responders and continues to resonate 25 years later. 

Watch the full broadcast below: