09/11/2026
MESSAGE FROM MAYOR WAYNE WHITE
Village of Maryville, Illinois
September 11, 2026
Remembering September 11, 2001 — 25 Years Later
Twenty-five years ago, our nation experienced one of the darkest days in American history.
On September 11, 2001, our country was attacked by terrorists who sought to create fear, division, and destruction. Nearly 3,000 innocent men, women, and children lost their lives that day. Families lost loved ones. Communities were forever changed. And our nation was reminded of the tremendous cost that can come when evil threatens the freedoms we hold dear.
But September 11th is also a story of courage.
It is the story of firefighters, police officers, paramedics, military personnel, and countless other first responders who ran toward danger while others were running away. Many gave their lives trying to save complete strangers.
It is the story of ordinary citizens who displayed extraordinary bravery.
It is the story of people across this country who opened their homes, donated blood, supported grieving families, and simply stood together and said, “We are Americans, and we will get through this together.”
For a brief moment, the things that divided us seemed to disappear.
We stood together.
We prayed together.
We mourned together.
We displayed our American flags with pride.
And we remembered what we sometimes forget in our daily lives: we are incredibly blessed to live in the United States of America.
As we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11th, I hope we will also remember how blessed we are to call the Village of Maryville home.
Maryville is a special community because of its people. We may not always agree. We may have different opinions about politics, policies, or decisions facing our Village. That is part of living in a free society.
But those differences should never make us forget what unites us.
We are Americans.
We love our country.
And we love our community.
We look out for our neighbors. We support our first responders. We care about our children and our families. And when our community needs us, we come together.
That is the spirit of America, and it is the spirit of Maryville.
On this 25th anniversary, let us never forget the nearly 3,000 innocent Americans who never came home.
Let us remember the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Let us remember the countless heroes whose courage saved lives.
And let us remember the unity that followed—a unity that reminded the world of the strength, compassion, and resilience of the American people.
As Mayor of Maryville, and as someone who spent more than three decades wearing a police uniform, I have a profound respect for those who ran toward danger on September 11th. Their courage and sacrifice represent the very best of our nation and the very best of those who choose a life of service.
Twenty-five years later, may we continue to remember their sacrifice, honor their courage, cherish our freedom, and never take for granted the blessings we have been given.
God bless the families who lost loved ones.
God bless our first responders.
God bless the Village of Maryville.
And most importantly, God bless the United States of America.
We will never forget.
Mayor Wayne White
Village of Maryville, Illinois
