As I wake this morning on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I can’t shake that it has been a quarter century (I still remember commemorating the 10th anniversary). When the attacks occurred I was a freshman in high school but the time that has elapsed since then hasn’t touched my memory of that day.

However, this blog post isn’t meant to necessarily reflect back on September 11, 2001, but to simply point out three things that are top of mind on September 11, 2026. Three quick thoughts…

Three thoughts come to mind when I reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

First, it is beyond sad how many people have had their lives negatively impacted by the attacks. In addition to the nearly 3,000 who lost their lives on 9/11, they now say even more people have died from breathing the toxic air at the Twin Towers clean up site. And then you have the friends and family of the victims who don’t live a day—even 25 years later—without thinking about their loved ones who perished and the manner by which it happened. The death and pain of 9/11 definitely wasn’t contained to one day.

Second, even though we live in a world that is increasingly violent, I don’t think we will ever become desensitized to the terrible images ingrained in our heads from 25 years ago. From desperate individuals jumping out of buildings to dead people carried out of the wreckage to commercial airliners blowing up upon impact with buildings, those moments of tragedy will continue to live rent free in my head for the next 25 years as well.

And finally, third, if there is one thing to take solace in, it is this: There has not been another major terrorist attack on American soil since that awful day 25 years ago. I am thinking about that a lot this morning and just appreciating the fact that out of all the scheming, plotting, and hating that we all know has inevitably taken place over the past two and a half decades, our government has kept us safe.

What are you thinking about on this solemn anniversary? Whatever it is, take time to remember those who died, honor those who responded, and educate those who were born after the attacks. May we never forget and may we never relive. Don’t Blink.