Commemoration Events Mark 25 Years Since 9/11
On Friday, events across the nation, notably in New York City, were set in motion to honor the nearly 3,000 individuals who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks. The occasion serves as a solemn reminder of the tragic events that unfolded 25 years ago.
SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
Today marks a quarter of a century since the September 11 terror attacks. We begin this hour with a glimpse into the recordings from that day, capturing the profound changes it brought to the world and individual lives. Please be advised that the following content may be distressing.
(SOUNDBITE OF MONTAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED NEWSCASTER: We understand that there has been a plane crash on the southern tip of Manhattan.
UNIDENTIFIED FIREFIGHTER: The World Trade Center tower No. 1 is on fire.
UNIDENTIFIED NEWSCASTER: Oh, my goodness. We’re looking at a live picture from Washington, and there is smoke pouring out of the Pentagon.
(SOUNDBITE OF ANSWERING MACHINE BEEP)
AUTOMATED VOICE: Tuesday, 9:47 a.m.
CEECEE LYLES: Hi, baby. I’m – baby, you have to listen to me carefully. I’m on a plane. It’s been hijacked. I’m on the plane. I’m calling from the plane. I hope to be able to see your face again, baby. I love you. Goodbye.
SCOTT DETROW: The last voice heard was that of CeeCee Lyles, a flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 93. As the world marks the 25th anniversary, gatherings took place at key sites such as Lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. NPR’s Brian Mann reports from Lower Manhattan. Hello, Brian.
BRIAN MANN, BYLINE: Hi there, Scott.
DETROW: Given the passage of 25 years, how did participants at the 9/11 memorial reflect on that day?
MANN: What struck me deeply was the number of family members reading names who were very young or not yet born when the attacks occurred. They expressed both love and a poignant sense of lost time, as in the case of Rosa Maria Feliciano’s daughter.
AMANDA: This year was important for me to come read your name because I am older than you are now when you passed away. Unfortunately, my sister Lexi (ph) and I don’t remember you much because we were so young when you were taken from us. We love to hear stories about your big, beautiful personality – strong, funny, tough, life of the party, a Puerto Rican queen.
MANN: Alongside the grief, there was also an atmosphere of hope and joy. Anthoula Katsimatides, who lost her brother John in the attacks, attended the ceremony in a vibrant dress, embodying her brother’s zest for life.
ANTHOULA KATSIMATIDES: I can honestly say that every day of my life for the last 25 years, I’ve made conscious decisions, conscious effort to live my life the way he would have, like, big and bold and beautiful. And I think that that would have made him proud.
MANN: A total of 2,977 lives were lost that day, with each name being read accompanied by heartfelt testimonials.
DETROW: While every living former president was present in New York, former President Trump and first lady Melania Trump opted to remain in Washington, where Trump spoke at the Pentagon. What did he convey in his address?
MANN: Trump’s remarks followed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who highlighted ongoing U.S. conflicts with Muslim extremists since 9/11. Although Trump campaigned for fewer wars, he launched military actions against Iran in February and connected these operations to the 9/11 attacks.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We will never, ever forget. That’s why we fight today. We don’t have a choice. There can only be victory.
MANN: While Trump has declared victory over Iran, the conflict persists.
DETROW: Brian, there was a notable reaction from some families in New York regarding Saudi Arabia. What were their sentiments?
MANN: Several 9/11 families suspect Saudi involvement in the attacks, alleging insufficient disclosure by past U.S. administrations. Although Saudi Arabia denies any role, calls for transparency were met with applause. Michael Massaroli Jr. also received applause for his message on unity.
MICHAEL MASSAROLI JR: I think the one parting thing I want to leave everyone with is that you do my dad’s legacy and the legacy of all these victims no honor by using this tragedy to spread hate. I’ve had to grow up and spend the past 25 years seeing people use it to hate on our Muslim brothers and sisters, to hate on people who don’t look like them.
MANN: Families continue to grapple with the impact and significance of 9/11, even 25 years later.
DETROW: That was NPR’s Brian Mann reporting from New York City. Thank you, Brian.
MANN: Thank you.
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