09/11/2026
Dear Residents,
Today marks 25th anniversary since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. As we remember this solemn day, we reflect on how that morning changed our Nation forever.
For many of us, 9/11 was the first defining moment of our generation. We remember exactly where we were, the uncertainty we felt, and watching the events unfold with a fear and sadness that were difficult to comprehend. In the months and years that followed, many of us watched classmates graduate from high school and immediately join the military, young men and women stepping forward to defend our country against an enemy we did not yet fully understand. Their courage became one of the earliest reminders of how deeply that day reshaped our lives.
On that day, and in the days that followed, we felt united in our grief, one people, one nation. The pain we felt quickly turned to anger, and then to resilience. Patriotism surged. Communities rallied. Our nation refused to be defeated. A tragic event awakened who we are at our core: a nation of courage, compassion, and strong commitment to one another.
Now, 25 years later, an entire generation of children has grown up without knowing the world before 9/11. It has become increasingly important that we teach our children and grandchildren the significance of that day, not to instill fear, but to help them understand the values that carried us through the tragedy and the days that followed. By sharing the stories of heroism, the lessons of resilience, and the meaning of “Never Forget,” we ensure that future generations understand not only what happened, but why it matters.
Today, we honor the 2,977 innocent lives lost, the families whose lives were forever changed, and the first responders and service members who answered the call. Let us remember the strength we found in one another. And let us continue to carry forward the spirit of unity that emerged on that day, by teaching it, living it, and passing it on for generations to come.
May we always remember.
May we always stand together.
May we Never Forget.
With Respect,
John M. Odenwald
Mayor
City of Shrewsbury
