Flint, Michigan – A quarter-century has passed since September 11, 2001, yet the weight of that day remains deeply felt. In Flint and communities across the country, the 25th anniversary is bringing renewed reflection on nearly 3,000 lives lost and the courage shown during one of the nation’s darkest moments.
The distance of 25 years has not diminished the significance of what happened. For families who lost loved ones, survivors, first responders and others whose lives were changed forever, September 11 remains far more than a date on the calendar.
The City of Flint is joining the nation in honoring those killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and aboard Flight 93, which crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The anniversary also recognizes the sacrifices of first responders, members of the military and countless others affected both on September 11 and during the years that followed.
Mayor Sheldon A. Neeley said the anniversary carries lessons about both loss and the way Americans responded to tragedy.
“September 11 is a solemn reminder of the tremendous loss our nation endured, but it also reminds us of the courage, compassion and unity Americans showed in one of our darkest moments,” Neeley said.
“Twenty-five years later, we honor every life lost, every family that carries their memory and every first responder who answered the call to serve. As a community and as a nation, we must continue to carry forward that same spirit of service and unity. We will never forget.”
For Flint residents, the city is encouraging a simple observance: take time to remember the victims and recognize the sacrifices made during the attacks and afterward.
Twenty-five years represents an entire generation since the events that changed the United States in 2001. Still, the anniversary serves as a reminder that remembrance continues through the people who preserve the stories of those who died, those who survived and those who stepped forward to help.
As Flint joins communities nationwide in marking the milestone, the message remains unchanged after a quarter-century: remember the lives lost, honor those who served and carry forward the spirit of unity that emerged in the aftermath.
We remember. We honor. We will never forget.