Twenty-five years later, we remember

Sept. 11, 2001, remains a defining moment for anyone who lived through it.

For some, it is remembered in exact detail — where they were standing, who they were with, what they saw and the moment they realized that life as they knew it had changed forever.

For others, particularly those born after the terrorist attacks, it is history. They learn about it in school, see photos and videos and hear stories from parents, grandparents and teachers.

But 25 years later, the challenge for all of us is the same: How do we remember Sept. 11 in a meaningful way, and how do we help those who continue to live with its consequences?

In the middle of unimaginable horror, people helped one another. Strangers carried strangers. First responders risked their lives for people they did not know. Communities opened their doors. Ordinary people performed extraordinary acts of courage and kindness.

Long Islanders were in the thick of 9/11, as volunteer fire departments from across Nassau and Suffolk counties, many with FDNY firefighters, raced to the site. Baldwin’s Bob Beckwith, a retired city fireman, responded, and three days later stood with President George W. Bush atop the rubble in a defining image of the attacks’ aftermath.

Roosevelt High School students created a memorial garden honoring two graduates who died at ground zero. Students at Deasy Elementary School, in Glen Cove, made stuffed animals for children who lost parents in the attacks. Scouts from across Suffolk collected 153,000 bottled drinks in 70 hours for rescue workers.

The attacks brought a sense of insecurity and a horrifying realization that we could not control what was happening around us. Nearly 3,000 people were killed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania, including 497 Long Islanders. Families lost parents, children, siblings and friends. First responders ran toward danger, and countless others demonstrated extraordinary courage simply by helping strangers.

In the succeeding years, children grew up without mothers or fathers. Some followed in their parents’ footsteps, becoming police officers, firefighters or other public servants to honor those they lost. Grandchildren were born who never had the opportunity to know the people whose names are spoken every Sept. 11.

For many families, the anniversary isn’t simply a day on the calendar. It can bring back memories, grief and questions that never fade away.

That is why remembering matters. Memorials, ceremonies and the simple act of saying the names of those we lost are vital ritual. We remember everyone who died, we remember those who died later from illnesses connected to their work at ground zero, and we remember the families that were left behind. The anniversary is a day for reflection and service — much like Memorial Day and Veterans Day, when we pause to recognize sacrifice and those who served something greater than themselves.

Honor their memory through action. Help a neighbor. Support a first responder or veteran. Visit a memorial, take part in a community service project, or teach a child why Sept. 11 still matters.

Children should learn about that day in age-appropriate ways, understanding both the tragedy and the remarkable response of people who came together. These lessons are important.

Twenty-five years is a long time. But it is not long enough to forget. So say the names. Remember the lives. Honor the families. Thank those who responded. Support those still suffering. And then do something good.

The Herald’s 9/11 special section seeks to do just that. Through the memories and experiences of people who lived through or lost someone on that horrific day, and were forever changed, we hope to show that Sept. 11 isn’t just something that happened 25 years ago. It is part of our history, and part of our present.