9/11: A Day We Will Never Forget
Image courtesy of Francesca Jonica
By Francesca Jonica
September 11th, 2001 a day forever etched in the hearts and minds of the American people. It stands as a solemn reminder of tragedy, sacrifice, and the strength of unity in the face of unimaginable horror. It was a day when the world changed, as al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, carried out a series of devastating terrorist attacks on our nation.
For the CUA students, faculty, and staff, the remembrance of that fateful Tuesday brings forth waves of grief, reflection, and gratitude.
On that morning, we faced fear, anger, and sorrow, emotions that surged through every household, school, and community. Yet, amid the chaos, there was also an incredible sense of unity. Churches and places of worship were filled with people seeking comfort, answers, and hope, united in their prayers for the victims, their families, and for peace.
September 11, 2001 was no ordinary day—it was an unprecedented day in American history. We came to know the names of flights that would forever be synonymous with tragedy: Boston Flights 11 and 175, which crashed into the World Trade Center towers; DC Flight 77, which struck the Pentagon; and New York Flight 93, which crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers intervened to prevent further loss of life. The attack was not just on buildings or symbols of power; it was an attack on the spirit of the American people.
For those who lived through that day, the memories remain vivid—the disbelief, the shock, the sorrow. Yet, every year, on the anniversary of the attacks, they come together to honor the memory of those lost. This is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the determination to never let the events of that day be forgotten.
For many Americans who were too young to remember or were not yet born, 9/11 is a day we have come to understand through the stories of our parents, older siblings, and teachers. Each year, the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) at Catholic University honors the victims of 9/11 with the Never Forget Project. This year, they planted thousands of American flags on the lawn of the Przybyla Center—each flag representing a life lost on that tragic day.
Around 8 a.m., YAF members began their work, and soon, students on their way to class stopped to help plant flags, even if only for a few moments.
“Students on their way to class helping out is great. Any help we get is helpful, even if they can only plant 10 flags,” said YAF member Joseph Wages. His words capture the heart of the project: a collective effort to remember, honor, and reflect.
Joseph Wages, a junior and a three-year member of YAF, views the Never Forget Project as one of the most meaningful initiatives on campus.
“We’ve been planting all these flags and there’s still a lot more in the box,” Wages reflected, reinforcing the gravity of the moment.
The Never Forget Project serves as a visual reminder of the scale of loss, but also of the importance of remembrance. “Each flag resembles one person who died that day,” Wages explained.
This year, communities across Virginia and the greater Washington D.C. area hosted a variety of events to commemorate 9/11. On September 7, Alexandria, VA, held the 9/11 Memorial Tribute Challenge and the “Sponsor Thank You” Run, while Falls Church hosted a Remembrance Ceremony at National Funeral Home & National Memorial Park, followed by the 2nd Annual 9/11 Memorial 5K Ruck March/Walk at Meridian High School. Arlington saw its annual Police/Fire/Sheriff 9-11 Memorial 5K at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, as well as a Half Marathon & 5K. Washington, D.C. also participated with a memorial meal pack event, the 9/11 Memorial 5k & Half Marathon, and even a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves. The week of remembrance culminated with a lecture by Douglas Murray at the Warner Theatre, giving those present an opportunity for reflection and community solidarity.
In all these ways, we honor those who perished and celebrate the enduring spirit of a nation that will never forget. Let us continue to keep the memory of 9/11 alive—not just through ceremonies and tributes, but in how we live, how we treat one another, and how we work toward a world where such acts of terror have no place.
