“Where were you that day?”

It is a question we have asked one another for 25 years. For those of us old enough to remember September 11, 2001, the answer often comes quickly. We remember where we were, who we were with, and how an ordinary Tuesday morning suddenly became a day our nation would never forget.

We remember the confusion as the first reports came in. We remember watching in disbelief as the events unfolded. We remember the fear, the heartbreak, and the realization that our country—and our lives—had changed.

In our house, there is also something about the time 9:11. It seems that we happen to glance at the clock at that exact moment more often. Whenever those numbers appear, they make us stop and pause just a little differently than at any other time of day. And for a brief moment, we remember.

We remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost in New York City, at the Pentagon, and aboard Flight 93. We remember the first responders who ran toward danger while others were trying to escape. We remember the passengers and crew members who showed extraordinary courage. We remember the members of our military and their families whose lives and service were forever shaped by what happened that day. We also remember those who continue to live with the physical and emotional effects of September 11.

But our memories of that time include something else, too. In the days that followed, Americans came together. We checked on our neighbors, displayed our flags, filled our churches, and stood united in grief and resolve. Our differences seemed smaller because we were reminded of what we shared.

Twenty-five years later, many young people know about September 11 only through history books, photographs, and the stories we tell. That makes our responsibility to remember—and to teach—even more important. We must tell them not only about the tragedy, but also about the courage, sacrifice, compassion, and unity that followed. We must help them understand that freedom is precious, service is honorable, and caring for one another is one of the greatest ways we can strengthen our communities and our country.

I invite our community to pause this September 11. Remember where you were. Say a prayer for the families and for those who still carry the weight of that day. Thank a first responder, a member of our military, or a veteran.

Twenty-five years later, may we still honor the promise our nation made that we will never forget.

-Mayor Dawson