Hello John,

Today marks the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

That morning, 2,977 people were killed in the attacks on New York, the Pentagon, and Flight 93. At the World Trade Center, hundreds of first responders died while trying to save others, including 343 New York firefighters and 71 law enforcement officers.

In the weeks and months that followed, thousands of rescue, recovery, and cleanup workers served at Ground Zero under dangerous conditions.

Today, I’d like to share a story from someone who was there, one of my colleagues at CVA, Strategic Director John Byrnes.

John helped with rescue efforts as a National Guardsman. Later, he fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, continuing his service to his country.

He shared his reflections on that tragic day — and the decades that followed, which you can watch below:

Why it matters: Stories like John’s help us remember 9/11 with gratitude and honesty.

They remind us what service costs, why those who step forward have unique voices, and why America’s leaders must make decisions worthy of their sacrifice.

I hope you’ll join me today in remembering those we lost and honoring the men and women who answered the call when America needed them most.