25 years since 9/11, communities gathered Friday to honor the nearly 3,000 people who died, with major observances in Lower Manhattan, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
25 years since 9/11 observed across the U.S.
At the New York memorial, many of those reading names were children during the attacks or were born afterward. They spoke about love, loss and the years they never had with parents and relatives who were killed. One daughter of Rosa Maria Feliciano said it was important to read her mother’s name now that she has grown older than her mother was when she died, remembering her as strong, funny and the life of the party.
There were also messages of resilience. Anthoula Katsimatides, whose brother John died in the twin towers at age 37, said she strives to live boldly because that is how he encouraged her to be.
In all, 2,977 names were read, many accompanied by brief tributes from family members.
Officials speak at the Pentagon ceremony
In Washington, former presidents and first ladies gathered in New York, though President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump remained in the capital. Trump spoke at the Pentagon following remarks by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who described the United States as engaged in a long fight against what he called Muslim extremists since the attacks.
Trump, who campaigned against new wars but launched military action against Iran in February, linked current operations to the commitment to remember 9/11, saying, “We will never, ever forget… There can only be victory.” He has repeatedly claimed victory over Iran, though the conflict continues.
Families press for answers, call for unity
Some families in New York renewed calls for more transparency about alleged Saudi Arabian links to the attackers and urged the administration to release additional information. Saudi officials have long denied any involvement. Those appeals drew strong applause.
Another moment that resonated came from Michael Massaroli Jr., who spoke about his father, Michael, killed in the towers. He urged mourners not to use the tragedy to spread hatred toward Muslims or people who look different, saying that doing so does not honor the victims’ legacy.
A quarter century later, families and communities are still grappling with how to remember 9/11 and what it means today, including for those in Hawaiʻi with loved ones on the continent and service members who deployed in the years that followed.
