Events to honor the nearly 3,000 victims on 25 years since 9/11 were underway Friday, including ceremonies in New York City, at the Pentagon, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
25 years since 9/11
Recordings and memories from the morning of September 11, 2001, framed the remembrances, recalling initial reports of a plane striking the World Trade Center, confirmation that Tower 1 was on fire, and images of smoke rising from the Pentagon. Among the voices remembered was flight attendant CeeCee Lyles of United Airlines Flight 93, who left a final message for her family.
In Lower Manhattan, relatives read the names of the 2,977 victims. Many who took the microphone were children or were not yet born when the attacks happened, and they spoke of the distance time has created as well as the enduring grief. One daughter of Rosa Maria Feliciano said returning to read her mother’s name was important now that she has grown older than her mother was when she died, recalling stories of her mother’s bold and joyful spirit.
There were expressions of resilience alongside sorrow. Anthoula Katsimatides, who lost her brother John at the World Trade Center at age 37, said she chose bright attire to reflect his outlook. She described a deliberate effort over the past quarter century to live “big and bold and beautiful,” believing that approach would make him proud.
All the victims’ names were read, interspersed with brief remembrances like these throughout the ceremony.
Presidential attendance and remarks
According to officials, every living former president and former first lady was in New York, while President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump remained in Washington and did not attend the Lower Manhattan observance. The president spoke at the Pentagon, where one of the hijacked planes crashed, following remarks by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who characterized the United States as having been at war with what he described as Muslim extremists since the attacks.
Trump, who campaigned on limiting new conflicts but ordered a military campaign against Iran in February, linked current U.S. military operations to the pledge to remember September 11, saying, “We will never, ever forget. That’s why we fight today. We don’t have a choice. There can only be victory.” He has repeatedly declared victory over Iran, though fighting continues.
Calls for disclosure and messages against hate
Some relatives in New York urged the administration to take additional steps related to Saudi Arabia. Many family members believe prominent figures in Saudi Arabia supported the plotters behind the attacks and argue that prior U.S. administrations have not released all relevant information. Saudi officials have consistently denied any involvement. Speeches pressing for more action drew strong applause.
Another address that resonated came from Michael Massaroli Jr., who spoke about his father, Michael, who died in the towers. He cautioned against using the tragedy to foster bigotry, noting he has watched, over a quarter century, people invoke 9/11 to target Muslim communities and those who look different. He urged honoring the victims’ legacies without spreading hate.
A quarter century on, families and communities continue to grapple with the significance of September 11 and its lasting consequences.
He cautioned against using the tragedy to foster bigotry, noting he has watched, over a quarter century, people invoke 9/11 to target Muslim communities and those who look different. He urged honoring the victims’ legacies without spreading hate.