25 years later, the promise to never forget endures

Hundreds of American and Canadian civilians, first responders, law enforcement, military personnel and government officials gathered together beneath the shadow of the Peace Arch on Friday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the tragedies that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001. 

Howard Blank, co-chair of Northwest 9/11 Memorial, the nonprofit that organizes the event each year, opened the ceremony by welcoming those in attendance and remembering how both countries came together in the wake of what unfolded. 

“The reason why we have this memorial — and there are so many memorials across Canada and the United States — is we must never forget, because history will repeat itself,” Blank said. 

Blaine Mayor Mary Lou Steward echoed those sentiments.

“Everybody instantly came together all across the country,” Steward said. “Let’s hope that the 25th anniversary rekindles this.” 

Both Canadians and Americans spoke of the horrors they witnessed, whether awash in the glow of the television light or on the front lines at ground zero; how they knew in those moments that the world would never be the same, and the complicated feelings that followed. 

They spoke of those they fought with side by side. Those they knew, loved and lost. Those they will carry in their hearts forever, vowing to never forget them or their bravery. 

Robert Abril, a retired FDNY paramedic, took the stage to share his account and speak of his friend and paramedic partner, Carlos Lillo, who perished that day. He said the hardest thing he has ever had to do was drive the truck back to the station that day without Lillo. 

“I wish we would have had more time, I wish we could have done more,” Abril said, emotion thick in his voice. “But I’m grateful for the time we had, grateful for your friendship, grateful for your courage and grateful that I had the privilege to call you my brother.” 

Guy Morrall, who founded the motorcycle memorial ride 24 years ago, chose to speak instead about his experience on Sept. 11, 2002. One year after the attack. 

He was part of a group of several thousand motorcyclists who rode from New Jersey to ground zero for a midnight ride. New York and New Jersey firefighters, police officers and military members joined them for a ceremony where they read the names of each of the 2,971 people who died on 9/11. It was almost four hours long.  

As he was leaving the ceremony, a woman stopped him and thanked him for coming. She put her hand on his and asked if he thought people would still remember in five years, in 10. 

“I put my hand on her hand, I looked at her face and the tears were in her eyes. I said, ‘Yes. I promise you, I’ll never forget,’” he said. “So I thank you all. You kept that promise.”