Guest Opinion | William Paparian: Remembering September 11: Patriot Day Reflections

On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists robbed America of more than 3,000 lives, wounding our nation in a way we had not known since the shock of Pearl Harbor. 

In bringing down the World Trade Center, damaging the Pentagon and downing an airliner in a Pennsylvania field, the day ranks as the most devastating in our nation’s history. 

On Patriot Day 2025, we pause to remember the lives forever changed on September 11, 2001. Nearly 3,000 souls were lost that tragic day, each with a story, each deeply missed. We vowed we would not forget them. 

We honor their memory and the courage of the heroes who stepped forward in that dark hour. 

On that day, ordinary people became extraordinary. First responders raced into danger; passengers and crew on Flight 93 showed unparalleled bravery, saving countless lives. Their selflessness reminds us that even in the face of evil, goodness prevails. 

The acts of heroism displayed on 9/11 remind us of the extraordinary courage of ordinary individuals who stepped up to help, protect, and save others during a time of crisis. These stories continue to resonate and serve as a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and bravery. 

Welles Crowther, a 24-year-old equities trader, became known as the “man in the red bandana.”  After the South Tower was struck by United Airlines Flight 175, he used his volunteer firefighter training to guide others to safety. He was seen helping injured individuals down to safety while wearing a red bandana around his face to protect against smoke. Crowther lost his life while helping others, saving at least a dozen people in the process. 

A former Army officer, Rick Rescorla was responsible for the evacuation of over 2,700 Morgan Stanley employees from the South Tower. He ignored official instructions to stay in the building and led dozens out to safety while singing to keep morale high. He was last seen heading back into the building to help more people and lost his life when the tower collapsed. 

In the hours and days that followed, as dust settled and sirens wailed, the world watched in collective horror and sorrow. Yet, amidst the chaos and devastation, Americans—neighbors, friends, strangers—reached for one another. Stories emerged of quiet acts of compassion, of hands held in the darkness, of flags unfurled in defiance and sorrow. Vigils flickered from coast to coast, and voices rose in prayer and solidarity, refusing to let despair define the day. 

From the heart of New York to distant small towns, the tragedy awakened a spirit of unity, inspiring countless to volunteer, donate blood, and offer comfort. In schools, children wrote messages of hope; in cities, firefighters from other states arrived to assist their brethren in unimaginable conditions. The world, too, stood beside America, lighting monuments and sending condolences, a testament to the universal impact of the tragedy. 

Amid the wreckage and heartbreak, the American spirit persevered—finding hope in resilience, and solidarity in shared grief. The echo of sirens and sorrow gradually gave way to the quiet determination to rebuild not only structures, but trust and community.. Across living rooms and city streets, there grew a quiet promise never to forget, but also, never to surrender to fear. 

In the shadow of unimaginable loss, a new sense of purpose emerged—one that compelled individuals to reach across divides and reaffirm their connection to country and community. The shared tragedies fostered not just remembrance, but a quiet determination to uphold the ideals threatened that day, strengthening the resolve that links past and present. 

Nevertheless, September 11th is fading in our memories, now relegated to a single paragraph in newspaper stories and occasional references on television. 

The enemies who hatched the September 11th plot hoped to spawn even more terror. They were counting on our complacency. Convinced we are a nation of selfish materialists; they did not think we had resolve. They did not think we would triumph over them. Let it be said on this Patriot Day that we will. 

The passage of time cannot erase the vigilance demanded by the world we inherited on that day. Threats persist, and the echoes of past sorrow remind us to remain steadfast in both our awareness and our commitment to one another. This persistent sense of watchfulness and shared purpose forms the bridge between mourning and meaning, preparing us to face what lies ahead—not with fear, but with resolve. 

Patriot Day reminds us to reflect on the values that define us: freedom, justice, and compassion. These ideals are the beacon that guide us, inspiring us to build a future where unity and peace endure. 

As we remember, let us also resolve to act—with kindness to our neighbors, support for those who serve our nation in uniform, and a renewed dedication to our country. In doing so, we honor the legacy of those we lost and affirm the strength of our nation. 

Let us remember, too, that the true measure of a nation lies not in the tragedies it endures, but in the spirit with which it responds to them. Each day presents an opportunity to reaffirm the principles that rose from adversity—solidarity, integrity, and the unwavering belief in a common good. Even as the memory of that September morning grows more distant, its call to vigilance and compassion remains ever-present, urging us to stand together against those who would seek to divide us. In quiet gestures and bold endeavors alike, we hold fast to the promise of a better tomorrow, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to illuminate our path forward. 

Former Pasadena Mayor William Paparian is a Captain (CA) Judge Advocate in the California State Guard and a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney. The views expressed here are his own and not those of the California Military Department or the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.