09/11/2026
25 years later, I can still remember that day as clearly as ever.
I was sitting in sophomore biology class when the first plane struck the World Trade Center. Immediately after that class, I had study hall followed by lunch, and I spent both in the library surrounded by friends, crowded around a tiny television, watching in disbelief as the events of September 11, 2001 unfolded.
It's hard to believe a quarter century has passed.
For those of us old enough to remember that day, I think we'll always remember exactly where we were, who we were with, and how it felt.
We watched unimaginable tragedy unfold. We mourned the lives that were lost and witnessed incredible acts of courage from first responders, ordinary citizens, and people who ran toward danger to help complete strangers.
And in the days that followed, something else happened.
We came together.
For a moment, differences seemed smaller. Neighbors looked out for neighbors. Strangers supported strangers. We weren't divided into different groups. We were Americans.
Even 25 years later, we're still learning stories of individuals who sacrificed themselves to save the lives of others. It's incredible to think that after all this time, there are still stories of courage and heroism from that day being told.
25 years later, I hope we never forget the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day, the families whose lives were forever changed, and the first responders and countless others who carried the weight of September 11th long after that day ended.
I'll never forget where I was.
I'll never forget what I saw.
And I'll never forget how united we became afterward.
Never Forget.
