Eighteen typically isn’t a big anniversary.
But for family and friends of the 2,977 men, women and children who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 — including some fellow Hinsdaleans — next Wednesday will not pass unnoticed.
But many do not remember the horrors that unfolded that beautiful September morning.
Most Hinsdale Central High School seniors were not yet born when the Twin Towers fell. College freshman were infants when the Pentagon burned. Even those who earned a bachelor’s degree in May were mere preschoolers when Flight 93 crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.
We cannot allow the memory of what happened to fade — and we must continue to support our fellow Americans whose lives were changed by the attacks.
How do we do so?
We can honor victims by watching the annual commemoration ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Museum. It will be streamed lived on the museum’s Facebook page and on its website at https://www.911memorial.org/live at 9:40 a.m. Central Standard Time.
We can attend the “Heroes of 9/11” dedication ceremony at the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, at 4:30 p.m.
A permanent outdoor exhibit comprised of two structural steel beams from the former World Trade Center buildings in New York will be unveiled. The memorial pays tribute to those lost in the attacks and honors the first responders who served that day and serve currently in our own communities.
Limited seating will be available for the 30-minute public ceremony, and Cantigny’s regular $5 parking fee will be waived after 3 p.m.
We can donate to one of the many charities that work to preserve the memory of 9/11 and assist those who continue to feel its effects.
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum earlier this year dedicated a Memorial Glade to recognize people — mostly rescue and recovery workers — whose illnesses and deaths have followed in the years since the towers collapsed. Some 60,000 to 70,000 people are estimated to have worked at Ground Zero. Donations can be made to support operations and maintenance of the entire facility, which has drawn 46 million visitors, at https://www.911memorial.org/make-monetary-donation-now.
Tomorrow Together, a 501c3 launched on Sept. 11, 2016, is encouraging people to donate $25 to provide food for 100 people in need on the anniversary. The nonprofit’s mission is to “transform 9/11 from a day of tragedy into a day of service, unity and peace.” Donate at https://www.911day.org.
Voices of September 11th is a nonprofit dedicated to helping families heal after tragedy. The organization continue to address the long-term needs of those impacted by 9/11, commemorates the lives lost and promotes national preparedness. Donate at https://www.voicesofseptember11.org/donate.
Tuesday’s Children provides a lifetime of healing for those whose lives have been forever changed by terrorism or traumatic loss and continues to support all those impacted by 9/11. Donate at https://www.tuesdayschildren.org/support/.
The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $160 million to 3,500 recipients with financial need who are dependents of people killed or permanently disabled as a result of the attacks or during rescue activities. Donate at https://www.familiesoffreedom.org/donate-to-the-families-of-freedom-scholarship-fund/.
