“Never Forget.”
When I hear that phrase today, I think of the promise we collectively made after the United States endured a devastating terrorist attack that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people. It was a vow born from grief and a call to action that emerged as the fires were extinguished at the Pentagon here in Arlington.
On September 11, we pause as a nation, a county and a community to remember the terrorist attacks that occurred twenty-five years ago at the Pentagon, the World Trade Center in New York City and aboard Flight 93 near Shanksville, PA.
Today, more than one-third of Americans are too young to have personal memories of September 11. This reality makes the task of remembrance, and our promise to “never forget,” even more important.
Libraries play a vital role in that work. We collect, preserve, verify and share the stories that help us remember. Through access to trusted information and historical records, libraries help communities understand, process and heal from tragedy.
Former Library Director Ann M. Friedman, who led Arlington Public Library from 1995 to 2006, reflected on this responsibility in her article, "Libraries in Times of Emergency—Lessons Learned,"(opens in new tab) published in the January-March 2002 issue of Virginia Libraries. She described the essential role libraries play during times of crisis, serving as trusted sources of information.
Beginning in 2006, on the fifth anniversary of the attacks, and continuing through today, the Charlie Clark Center for Local History has conducted a series of oral history interviews with first responders, school personnel and Arlingtonians about their experiences on September 11, 2001, and in the days that followed.
Transcripts of the oral histories(opens in new tab) are available online. They include the voices of Fire Chief James Schwartz, Fire Captain Gary Tobias, Firefighter/EMT Charles Cake, Deputy Police Chief Stephen Holl, H.B. Woodlawn Principal Ray Anderson, fifth-grade teacher Gail Klein, American Muslim Yasmine El-Droubi and many others.
During this week of remembrance, whether you are reflecting on your own memories or learning about this devastating chapter in American history, I encourage you to explore the Library’s September 11 resource page, created in partnership with the Charlie Clark Center for Local History.
I invite you to spend time with the print and digital materials, including first-person accounts, oral histories, transcripts and photographs. Whether you are piecing together your personal recollections or learning from the experiences of others, every act of reading, reflecting and learning is a way of answering the call to “never forget.”
Diane Kresh
Director, Arlington Public Library
Additional 9/11 Programs of Remembrance and Renewal
- Join retired Arlington County Police Department Deputy Chief Stephen Holl for Remembering 9/11: Strength Through Service on Sept. 9, as he reflects on the response to the Pentagon attack. All community members are invited.
- On Sept. 11, Arlington County will also hold its 25th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony. Community members are invited to attend virtually via YouTube livestream(opens in new tab) or gather at several library locations to watch together.
- You can also explore the Library’s September 11 resource page, featuring a curated selection of print and digital materials related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.