25 years on, America seeks to keep 9/11 memories alive

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, the United States is dedicated to preserving the memory of that traumatic event, as fewer Americans experienced it firsthand. President Donald Trump will attend the commemoration at the Pentagon, rather than the traditional site in New York. Vice President Kamala Harris and the four living former presidents are expected to be present at Ground Zero in Manhattan next Friday.

The anniversary marks a significant moment for the US and the world, as many in the older generation remember exactly where they were on that fateful day in 2001. However, 100 million Americans were not born or were too young to remember the tragic events. Beth Hillman, president of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and a US Air Force veteran, emphasizes the importance of outreach and education to connect with younger generations who learned of the disaster through their parents or school.

Volunteers, including first responders, engage with audiences who have a connection to the attacks or have experienced it indirectly. Younger visitors, such as 22-year-old Ignacio Gaete from Chile, are more inquisitive and ask more questions than their elders. Holly Kafka, visiting from Chicago, believes that preserving and educating younger generations is crucial, as they are often preoccupied with social media and other distractions.

On the morning of 9/11, relatives will read the names of their lost loved ones, and in the evening, two beams of light will be projected skyward from lower Manhattan, symbolizing the fallen Twin Towers. Nineteen Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked four planes that day, causing the collapse of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, while a fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back.

Over 9,400 people have since died from 9/11-related illnesses. The trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind, is set for June 2028 at the US Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.