In his 1897 poem entitled “Recessional,” Rudyard Kipling reminded us that “the tumult and the shouting dies.” Nevertheless, he suggests we should take a moment and reflect on deeper things “lest we forget — lest we forget.” The tumultuous events of 11 September 2001 should not be forgotten. The staff at National Day Calendar remembers the day this way:

“For many, September 11, 2001, began like any other weekday. We made our way to work. Children attended school. We shopped, had coffee, waited in line at a drive-thru. Those of us who weren't in New York City heard the first reports on the radio or television. A friend or neighbor alerted us to a plane flying into one of the Twin Towers. We felt disbelief. An accident, perhaps, a miscalculation. Then, a second plane flew into the second tower. Our disbelief turned into uncertainty and concern.”[1]

In the two dozen years since those events took place, nearly 80 million Americans have been born. They have no recollection of those events — it’s just history. For those of us alive in 2001, the images we saw on that day are seared into our memories. My sister was working in the Deutsche Bank building next to the World Trade Center towers. So, the terrorist attacks became very personal for me. The staff at Calendarr provides this brief account of what happened:

“On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, 19 Islamist extremists carried out a series of coordinated terrorist attacks orchestrated by the group Al-Qaeda. These terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes, turning them into weapons of mass destruction. Their actions resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people and left thousands more injured. The attacks began in the morning when two planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact and resulting fires caused both towers to collapse, leading to catastrophic loss of life and widespread destruction. A third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, severely damaging the west side of the U.S. military headquarters. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was headed for another target in Washington, D.C., but crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers and crew heroically fought back against the hijackers. This act of bravery prevented further destruction and saved countless lives.”[2]

In December 2001, Patriot Day was established by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush. The staff at National Today notes, “On Patriot Day, U.S. flags are lowered halfway, and there is a country-wide moment of silence at 8:46 am (Eastern Daylight Time), which is when the first plane crashed into one of the Twin Towers. Although the attacks were in the U.S., Patriot Day is recognized worldwide as the news devastated and impacted people all over.”[3]

President Bush’s successor, Barack Obama, proclaimed that Patriot Day should also be a National Day of Service and Remembrance. As a result, the Calendarr staff observes, “Patriot Day serves as a solemn reminder of the lives lost, the heroism displayed, and the resilience shown by communities in the face of tragedy. It is a day for reflection, unity, and commitment to service, as individuals and groups participate in various acts of kindness, volunteer efforts, and community service projects to honor the memory of those affected.” The staff at Awareness Days suggests several ways individuals can get involved in the solemn activities of Patriot Day.[4] They are:

● Participate in Memorial Events: Attend a local or national memorial service or event. Many communities hold ceremonies, candlelight vigils, and other events to remember the victims and honor the heroes of 9/11.

● Observe a Moment of Silence: At 8:46 AM EDT, observe a moment of silence to reflect on the lives lost and the impact of that day. This is a simple yet powerful way to pay your respects.

● Volunteer or Donate: Consider volunteering your time or donating to organizations that support first responders, veterans, or families affected by terrorism. Acts of service are a meaningful way to honor the spirit of unity that emerged after the attacks.

● Fly the Flag at Half-Staff: As a sign of respect, the American flag is flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. You can participate by lowering your flag or displaying it at half-staff at home or at work.

● Educate and Reflect: Take time to learn more about the events of 9/11 and their aftermath. Reflect on the lessons learned and discuss them with others, especially younger generations who may not have experienced the events firsthand.

For those old enough to remember the days following the attacks of 9/11, there was a wonderful sense of unity that swept across the country — indeed, across much of the world. This wasn’t surprising. Years before those terrible events, the late author Napoleon Hill wrote, “During times of disaster sorrow brings people together in a spirit of friendship, and influences man to recognize the blessings of becoming his brother's keeper.” On this day of remembrance, it would do well to reflect on those things that can bring us together rather than divide us. As the late Martin Luther King, Jr., once stated, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

Footnotes

[1] Staff, “Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance,” National Day Calendar.

[2] Staff, “Patriot Day,” Calendarr.

[3] Staff, “Patriot Day – September 11, 2025,” National Today.

[4] Staff, “Patriot Day in the USA 2025,” Awareness Days.