Best Ways to Honor and Remember September 11

The early morning hours of September 11, 2001, looked like every other morning. Children went to school, people went to work, and by all accounts, life was going on just like it had done the day before and would do the day after.

That would have been the case if it weren’t for a group of 19 terrorists who hijacked four flights, flying two into the Twin Towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon, and crashing one into a field after passengers fought back.

The terrorists, who were affiliated with al-Qaeda, had carefully put together a plan that no one saw coming in what would become the deadliest terrorist attack ever launched on American soil. Around the country, people watched in horror as the Twin Towers fell, crushing countless people while others perished in the blazing fires.

In addition to the civilians who lost their lives in the buildings and on planes, there were countless first responders who died in New York City, giving their lives in an effort to save others. The world changed forever on that fateful day.

Because of this, September 11 has become a day of remembrance, not only in the United States but around the world.

It’s amazing to consider that there is now an entire generation of adults who only know about September 11 because they’ve learned about it in history books, but that’s the case.

If you’re interested in honoring and remembering September 11, we’ve got some tips that can help you memorialize those who lost their lives on the day that changed forever.

Participate in National Day of Service

So many of the people who lost their lives on the morning of September 11 were police officers, firefighters, and EMTs who rushed into the wreckage and rubble to try to save others.

While some of them came out of the chaos physically unscathed, the mental ramifications were far-reaching.

Additionally, some of those first responders lost their lives as they rushed into the Twin Towers which were still on fire, and still, others have struggled with health issues decades later because of the smoke and debris that they inhaled.

With this in mind, it’s a great idea to take part in the National Day of Service on September 11.

This method of honoring September 11 is more about honoring the brave heroes who put the needs of others ahead of themselves and paid the ultimate price for it. Consider finding a local food bank or soup kitchen that needs some volunteers and spend the day serving others with the understanding that there’s nothing in it for you.

If your schedule doesn’t allow you to spend the day working at a local charitable organization, consider donating some clothing items, toys, or money to a local shelter that helps people who are less fortunate.

Ultimately, this method of remembering 9/11 is about providing care and service for others with no expectation of reciprocity, just like the brave men and women who rushed into the burning Twin Towers on the morning of September 11, 2001.

No act of service is too small, and September 11 is a great opportunity to perform a random act of kindness.

Visit a 9/11 Museum or Memorial

Contrary to what you may have assumed, there are 9/11 memorials across the country, not only in New York City. If you want to spend some time reflecting on the events of 9/11 and the heroes who risked it all that morning, visiting one of these memorials or museums is a great way to do so.

The 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City is certainly the most immersive experience, as it includes artifacts, video footage, and first-hand accounts from survivors, first responders, and family members.

Depending on where you live, it may not be feasible for you to go to New York City for a day in the middle of September. Fortunately, there are memorials and museums around the country, so it’s possible to find one that’s relatively close to you.

As you walk through these spaces, take your time and allow yourself to truly reflect on the sacrifices that people made on September 11 and in the months and years that followed, as our nation went to war against the countries that were directly involved in the attack.

These museums and memorials provide you with a wonderful opportunity to truly think about the loss of life and the sacrifices made by the brave people who saved others.

Attend or Watch Ceremonies

There will be countless 9/11 memorial ceremonies around the nation, and attending one in person is a great way to pay homage to the lives that were lost on that day.

If you can’t attend one in person, many of these ceremonies will air on TV, and thanks to advances in technology, those that aren’t on television can be streamed online.

The largest ceremony takes place near Ground Zero, the spot in New York City where the Twin Towers stood before being destroyed by the attacks. Each year, the names of 3,000 victims are read aloud, each of which is followed by a moment of silence.

In addition to the names that are read, giving each life that was lost its own moment to be remembered, first responders, survivors, and family members often give speeches and recount the events of that terrible morning from their perspective.

Attending or watching these ceremonies from your own home ensures that the people who lost their lives, and those who survived are never forgotten, and the events of that day remain a constant memory. Consider lighting a candle during the ceremony as a way to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

Support Organizations That Help Survivors and Families

In the months that followed 9/11, several non-profit organizations were set up to help support family members of those who lost their lives, first responders who were unable to work, and others who were impacted by the terrorist attacks.

Many of these organizations are still working today to help provide support to people whose lives were directly impacted by the attacks.

For instance, the FealGood Foundation and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation both provide mental health support and financial assistance and serve as advocates for those who were directly impacted by the events of that fateful morning.

You can donate to these wonderful causes online, and you can even reach out to find out more about how you can offer your services to them.

Unfortunately, since 23 years have passed since the attacks, some of these charitable groups have become afterthoughts for many people. This means that there is a need for raising awareness.

If you don’t feel like giving them some money is enough, ask them how you can offer your time in an effort to raise awareness and point others to the work that these groups continue to do.

May We Never Forget

It’s amazing to realize that there are now three generations of adults in the United States, each of which has a different perspective of that morning.

One group had completely entered adulthood by 2001 and saw the events from an adult perspective. Still, a second group of today’s adults was in school, sitting in classrooms around the country, as the news slowly leaked out about what had happened.

Finally, there’s an entire generation of adults who only know what they learned from those who remember one of the worst days in American history.

As we approach the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, do your part to remember the events and pay tribute to those who died on that day, and those who were changed forever by what they went through.