Never Forgotten: A Reflection on 9/11

Today marks another year since the morning of September 11, 2001—a day that changed the world in ways we’re still trying to understand. It’s been over two decades, yet the memory of that day remains vivid: the images, the silence, the heartbreak. 2,977 lives were taken in the space of a few hours. Each one a person with dreams, routines, quirks, and loved ones. Each one a story that ended too soon.

For those of us watching from across the Atlantic, the horror felt distant yet deeply personal. The UK stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States—not just in grief, but in solidarity. Flags flew at half-mast. Vigils were held. And in the quiet moments, we realised how fragile life can be, and how quickly ordinary can turn into unimaginable.

But 9/11 wasn’t just about loss. It was also about courage. First responders ran toward danger. Strangers helped strangers. Families clung to hope. And in the aftermath, communities came together to rebuild—not just buildings, but trust, resilience, and resolve.

Today, we remember the names. We honour the families. We reflect on the legacy. And we recommit to kindness, unity, and the simple act of remembering.

Because to remember is to resist forgetting.

And to resist forgetting is to keep their stories alive.

Never forget.

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