Remembering 9/11

Reflection • September 11th

Remembering 9/11

“We will never forget.”

September 11th, 2001 is a day forever etched in my memory. I was a sophomore in high school in South Jersey—just two and a half hours from New York City. That morning, life seemed to stop. Everyone was glued to the television, watching in disbelief as the towers crumbled live on the screen. The silence in our community was deafening, broken only by the sounds of worry, grief, and prayers. It was something no human has ever witnessed. No one knew what to do, what to say.

For my family, service to others has always been a foundation. Members of the Longport, NJ Volunteer Fire Department went to Ground Zero in the days that followed, helping with rescue and cleanup efforts. Their courage—and the unity I saw across our nation in those days—left a lasting impression on me. It reinforced the belief that no matter the challenge, we are stronger when we come together in service of one another.

Today, as we remember those we lost and honor the bravery of first responders and everyday heroes, I am reminded that unity and service are not just values—they are responsibilities. On this day, we pause not only to remember but to recommit ourselves to looking out for one another.

— Robert Adams
RKA Insurance Advisors