Twenty-one years after 9/11, there are still plenty of tears to shed and emotions to wade through, yet the words don’t come as easily, at least, not for me. After twenty-one years, so, so much has been said, and written about, 9/11, and even after all of this time, I still struggle with how to articulate the thoughts and feelings that are churned up whenever I remember 9/11.
What I had hoped to include in today’s remembrance were the names of all of the victims of 9/11, but that proved to be a daunting task, especially given my limited technological skills. I invite you to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum to see the names of the 2,977 people who lost their lives that day.
As staggering as this list of names is, it is even more overwhelming when you take into account that these names do not include the names of those who survived, and responded to, the attacks on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon. It is unbelievable that the number of people who later died of diseases related to the exposure to toxins now outnumbers the number of those lives lost on 9/11. The list of 9/11 victims also does not include those who died by suicide or addiction that was triggered by the psychological trauma caused by these attacks. The number 2,977 alone is staggering, and when you add in all of the other people who died as a result of these attacks, it is even more incomprehensible.
If you or someone you know needs assistance or would like to learn more how to get involved in providing support, there are many resources available, including these:
- FDNY Foundation
- New York City Police Foundation
- Tuesday’s Children
- USA Cares, Inc.
- Wounded Warrior Project
For every life lost, there were, and continue to be, countless lives impacted. There are family members, friends, colleagues, and entire communities who continue to mourn and to heal, and they will for the rest of their lives. Grief morphs over time, yet it remains. Every person lost mattered, and they still do and always will.
May we remember all of the people who died on, and as a result of, 9/11 and support all of those who mourn them. Never forget.
