Today marks 25 years since September 11, 2001 — a day that changed all of us, no matter where we were standing when we heard the news. I still remember exactly where I was that morning, and I know most of you do too.
I don't usually use this space to step outside real estate and community life, but today felt different. A quarter-century anniversary is the kind of marker that asks us to pause, and Gilbert has always been a town that shows up for that.
Gilbert's Own Piece of That Day
Not everyone realizes that our town carries a physical piece of that history. The Town of Gilbert's 9/11 Memorial, outside Town Hall at 50 E. Civic Center Drive, holds a steel beam recovered from the North Tower of the World Trade Center. It was escorted home with the same honor typically reserved for a fallen soldier, and residents lined up to see it and touch it before it found its permanent place here.
Tonight, Gilbert Fire and Rescue and the Gilbert Police Department are holding the town's annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at that same memorial. Afterward, two beams of light will be projected into the night sky from about 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., echoing the shape of the towers — visible from a lot of our neighborhoods if you step outside and look up.
Across the Valley, thousands of Arizonans — firefighters, police officers, military members, and everyday residents — are also taking part in the 25th annual 9/11 Tower Challenge at State Farm Stadium this morning, climbing 2,071 stairs in full gear. That's the same number of steps in each Twin Tower, and the climb is done in memory of the 343 firefighters, 71 law enforcement officers, and eight paramedics who died in the line of duty that day.
More Than a Moment of Silence
September 11 was formally designated Patriot Day by Congress back in 2001, and in 2009 it was additionally named the National Day of Service and Remembrance — one of only two federally recognized days of service in the country, alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The idea, as the founders of that observance have put it, is to turn the anniversary into a day of doing good rather than only a day of grief.
Gilbert leans into that spirit every year. Alongside tonight's ceremony, the town encourages residents to take part in hands-on volunteer projects, with additional service opportunities continuing into the weekend for anyone who wants to give back rather than just look back.
Why This Matters to Me
I've lived and worked in this community for over 12 years now, and one of the things I love most about the East Valley is that it still knows how to come together. You see it at Little League games, at the farmers market, and you see it especially on days like today — neighbors standing shoulder to shoulder at a memorial, first responders honoring their own, kids who weren't alive in 2001 learning why this day matters from the people who were.
If you're able, I'd encourage you to stop by tonight's ceremony at Gilbert Town Hall, or simply step outside around dusk and look for the Tribute in Light. And if you're looking for a way to give back this week, Gilbert's volunteer opportunities are a good place to start.
Wherever you are today, take a moment. Remember the nearly 3,000 people we lost, and the first responders who ran toward the danger to help. That's the character of this country — and it's the character of this community too.
— Kelly
