Dear Friend,
Today marks twenty-five years since 9/11. We promised never to forget, and I still grieve for every life lost on that terrible morning, and for every person who lost loved ones, too.
I remember exactly where I was when this terrorist attack happened. I was a middle school student at Orange County Public Schools, and all the televisions were on, watching the news unfold. There would be no school that day, and we were soon sent home early to process what was happening with our families. It was hard knowing that for so many children like me, there wouldn’t be a parent to come home to that night.
Orlando knows how to find power in pain, and though 9/11 marks difficult memories, it also demonstrates the incredible resilience of the American people, the bravery of our first responders, and the collective hope we carry for a better, brighter, healthier, and safer future.
One of those Americans is Orlando’s own Nancy Rosado, a New York City first responder who now calls Orlando home. You can learn more about her story here.
I also encourage you to explore National Geographic’s September 11th archives, which feature firsthand accounts and stories that profile the courage of survivors, first responders, and those who helped define this tragedy. Click here to learn more.
I know that this can also be a difficult day for our veterans and their families. Please remember that you are not alone and can access veteran mental health services here, at this link.
Each year, the Orlando Fire Department honors the courageous firefighters and law enforcement officers who lost their lives on September 11th, along with the 2,977 lives lost in New York City, Washington, D.C., and outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The Candle Lighting Ceremony begins at 7:00pm, and you can learn more and join us here, at this link.
Please take care of one another, and know that we are here to serve you.
Onward,
