Each year, the voices of relatives remembering their loved ones lost in the September 11 terrorist attacks resonate with a heartfelt phrase: “I never got to meet you.” This poignant saying reflects the generational shift observed at Ground Zero, where family members honor victims by reading their names during the anniversary ceremonies.
On that tragic day in 2001, nearly 3,000 lives were taken when al-Qaida hijackers crashed four planes into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field. On Wednesday, September 11, NBC 4 New York will provide live coverage of the memorial from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET.
The ceremony increasingly features young readers, some of whom were born after the attacks, signifying a new era of remembrance. Last year, 28 young participants joined over 140 readers. Many of these young individuals are children of victims whose partners were pregnant at the time of the attacks, as well as nieces, nephews, and grandchildren who carry the memories and stories of those lost.
Allan Aldycki, 13, has taken part in reading names for two years and will do so again this Wednesday. He treasures keepsakes belonging to his grandfather, firefighter Allan Tarasiewicz, and feels a deep connection to him through these memories. Aldycki expressed, “It’s like you’re passing the torch on,” emphasizing the importance of sharing these legacies with future generations.
Young women Kristin Marino and Maya Peretz found solace in their shared experiences of loss, as they lost fathers in tragic circumstances—the Sept. 11 attacks and a recent attack in Israel, respectively. Now united, they embrace the healing power of friendship.
At the memorial, readers often research the lives of those they honor, as demonstrated by Aldycki, who learns about each person named. His mother, Melissa Tarasiewicz, highlights his understanding of the significance behind this task.
The tradition of reciting names extends beyond the 9/11 memorial. Similar observances take place at war memorials and Holocaust remembrance events. The Pentagon ceremony includes readings for the 184 lives lost there, while the Flight 93 National Memorial has family and friends honor the 40 passengers who perished.
During the 9/11 memorial, relatives read the names of the 2,977 victims alongside those killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Each volunteer reader shares personal stories about their connections to the deceased.
The impact of 9/11 continues to resonate, with health issues affecting first responders who worked at Ground Zero. Firefighters unions have recently called for additional support for those impacted.
Capri Yarosz, now 17, fondly remembers her uncle, firefighter Christopher Michael Mozzillo. Having created a baby book about him, she reminisces about the life they could have shared. “I feel good that I can pass down the importance of what happened,” she stated, reflecting her commitment to keeping his memory alive.
Many children of 9/11 victims have grown into adulthood, with around 100 born after the attacks. During last year’s ceremony, young readers spoke movingly about their connections to family members they never met, expressing sentiments of remembrance and legacy.
As ceremonies continue, the spirit of remembrance endures, ensuring the stories of the victims and the significance of September 11 are passed down to future generations.