25 years after 9/11: How tragedy united America and inspired a nation

Survivors emerged from mangled buildings covered in smoke and ashes, as heroes rushed into flames. In less than two hours, nearly 3,000 Americans were murdered by an ideology that sought to bring the U.S. to its knees and destroy its spirit.

During a memorial service Friday at the Pentagon to mark the 25th anniversary, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth spoke of the nation’s resiliency.

“Sept. 11, 2001, was one of the darkest days in American history, but evil did not get the last word. It never has and never will,” the secretary lamented.

By the evening of Sept. 11, 2001, the political aisle in Congress was blurred as members of both chambers, Democrats and Republicans, stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in a show of unity, when the group broke out in song, singing, “God bless America,” demonstrating to the nation that humanity was greater than politics.

As the sun fell on one of the darkest days in American history and smoke continued to rise from the wreckage of the World Trade Center and Pentagon, the sun rose on a day many consider to be one of America’s greatest days, Sept. 12, 2001.

Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, chaplain of the New York Fire Department, tended to the victims, first responders, and families of the fallen as a liaison with the New York Police Department on that fateful day.

Gigantiello told The Center Square that he doesn’t like to dwell on Sept. 11 but rather focus on Sept. 12.

During his invocation during a Tunnel to Towers event in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, he reflected on evil, which he said “sought to divide, destroy and spread hatred” on that day.

“Let it remind us not only of Sept. 11, but of Sept. 12, because on Sept. 12, something extraordinary happened. America and much of the world came together. People reached across differences. Strangers embraced, neighbors helped neighbors. People of different faiths, races, and backgrounds, and political beliefs stood together because, for a moment, we understood what matters most. We are human beings first,” said the monsignor. “And may we never forget what we learned on Sept. 12th, that when people come together, when we respect the dignity of every human being, evil does not have the final word.”

Sept. 12 stood as a new beginning for many Americans, inspiring many to serve others.

Thousands joined the military or became first responders.

Hegseth argued during his address that Sept. 11 changed the country for the better.

“It changed America, not as the cowards had hoped, but you see, their attacks inspired millions of Americans to step forward instead and say, ‘send me,’” the secretary noted.

One of those was Frank Siller, CEO of Tunnel to Towers, who lost his brother, Stephen Siller, a New York firefighter who was last seen walking through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toward the towers, giving his life on that dark day.

Through tragedy, Frank Siller sought to carry on the torch of his brother’s selfless sacrifice by continuing to serve America’s first responders, veterans, and Gold Star families by easing their burdens.

Siller credited the generosity of so many Americans, saying his organization has delivered over 2,000 mortgage-free homes and has taken more than 27,500 homeless vets off the streets.

Looking ahead, Siller said he hopes young people will know the true cost of freedom.

“Freedom is not free, and a lot of people pay a big sacrifice for that. We have got to teach them about these families,” Siller told The Center Square.