September 11, 2001 remains one of the darkest days in American history. Twenty-four years later, we still remember the horrifying images, the lives lost, the courage shown, and the families forever changed. Nearly 3,000 innocent people died in the coordinated terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard Flight 93, which crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers fought back.
As we reflect on that morning, we honor not only those who perished, but also the survivors — the ones who lived to tell stories of fear, faith, and unimaginable strength. One such survivor is Genelle Guzman-McMillan, the last person rescued alive from the rubble of the World Trade Center.
Genelle was on the 64th floor of Tower 1 when the first plane hit. She began her descent, but when the tower collapsed, she was buried beneath the debris for over 27 hours. Alone in the darkness, with a crushed leg and burns on her face, she found strength through prayer. She recalls the moment she heard a voice calling out — a firefighter who helped pull her to safety.
Her rescue was a beacon of hope in a sea of heartbreak.
Genelle’s story reminds us that while 9/11 was a day of terror, it was also a day that revealed the very best of humanity: bravery, sacrifice, and unity. First responders rushed into danger. Strangers became family. A nation came together in mourning, support, and resilience.
Every year on this day, bells toll across the country. Names are read aloud. Flags fly at half-staff. But remembrance isn’t just about a ceremony — it’s about carrying forward the lessons we learned: to cherish life, to stand together in the face of adversity, and to never forget.