09/11/2026
25 years ago today, I was an 18-year-old freshman at Western Michigan University.
Until September 11, 2001, I don’t think I had ever seriously considered the possibility that something like that could happen here. Growing up, we saw stories on the news about terrorism, war, and violence in other parts of the world. But something on that scale, on American soil, seemed almost unimaginable.
Then, in the span of a few hours, the world we knew changed.
Today, I remember the nearly 3,000 people who left home that morning expecting an ordinary Tuesday and never came home. I remember the first responders who ran toward danger while everyone else was trying to escape. And I remember the soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen who, in the days, months, and years that followed, raised their hands and volunteered to defend our country—many of whom would ultimately give their lives.
But there is something else I remember about the days after 9/11.
I remember how united we were.
For a little while, so many of the things that normally divided us seemed much less important. We were Americans. We grieved together. We prayed together. We flew our flag. Neighbors cared about neighbors. Strangers showed compassion to one another. Churches filled with people searching for hope, comfort, and answers.
Twenty-five years later, I pray we never experience another day like September 11, 2001. But I also pray we haven’t forgotten what September 12 taught us.
We don’t need tragedy to remind us to love our neighbors. We don’t have to agree on everything to treat one another with dignity. And our differences don’t have to be greater than the things we share.
In a time when it can feel like there is so much anger and division around us, maybe one of the best ways we can honor those we lost is to remember just how precious life is—and extend a little more grace, compassion, patience, and understanding to one another.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
We remember. We honor. We pray. We will never forget. 🇺🇸
September 11, 2001 — September 11, 2026
