On the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center pauses to remember the lives lost in that tragedy and honor the people who rushed valiantly to the front lines. The 9/11 Memorial, with its twin waterfall pools, sits just steps from the CSG Justice Center’s New York City headquarters—a poignant and persistent reminder of the moms and dads, husbands and wives, children and friends who perished in a senseless act of violence.
Among those lost to us on 9/11 and in its aftermath were first responders—firefighters, law enforcement officers, and EMTs. First responders are among the CSG Justice Center’s closest partners in our efforts to build safer and stronger communities. Often, we see their everyday heroism as they serve on the front lines to protect public safety and adopt innovative strategies to connect people to needed services across the country. Today, we’re reminded of the extraordinary heroism of those who rushed toward danger to bring others to safety.
We honor the service of all those who responded—at the Twin Towers; at the Pentagon; in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We remember the people we lost on 9/11, and we celebrate the strength and resilience of our hometown—New York City—and our country.
Photo credit: Matteo Catanese on Unsplash