25 Years Later: Remembering September 11, 2001
Where were you when the world stopped turning?
September 11, 2026 marks 25 years since the attacks of September 11, 2001—a day that, even a quarter-century later, so many Americans can remember with remarkable clarity.
Where we were. Who we were with. What we were doing when we first heard the news. And the moment we realized something had changed.
For us, those memories began in two classrooms in Greenville, South Carolina.
Lauren Remembers
Lauren was an eighth grader at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Greenville, sitting in Library Class with Mrs. Hilley when she watched the events unfold on a big-screen television.
She remembers seeing her teacher cry as the enormity of what was happening began to sink in.
Later, Lauren went to Math class with Mrs. McKenna. An image of the Pentagon happened to appear in her textbook that day—a striking coincidence that became another detail permanently woven into her memory of September 11.
Like so many students across the country, she was old enough to understand that something terrible was happening, but still young enough to be processing what it all meant.
Chris Remembers
Chris was a freshman at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Greenville, sitting in English 101 when he first heard the news.
Some of the smaller details of how that school day unfolded have faded over the past 25 years. What hasn’t faded is what happened when he got home.
The television stayed on. Everyone in the house watched. And there was silence.
It is a memory shared by millions of Americans—the feeling of being unable to look away as the events of that morning unfolded and the magnitude of what had happened became clear.
Different Classrooms. The Same Day.
Two different schools. Two different classrooms. Two young people in Greenville experiencing a moment that would become part of their generation’s collective memory.
Twenty-five years later, September 11 remains so much more than a date in history.
We remember the nearly 3,000 people whose lives were lost. We remember the families whose lives were forever changed. We remember the first responders who ran toward danger while others were trying desperately to escape it.
We remember the firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel, members of our military, volunteers, neighbors and ordinary Americans who answered unimaginable tragedy with extraordinary courage, service and compassion.
And we remember what followed.
In the days after September 11, Americans gathered together. Flags appeared on homes, storefronts and street corners. Communities prayed together. Strangers helped one another. There was a profound sense that despite our differences, we belonged to one another.
Twenty-five years later, that spirit is worth remembering, too.
We Will Never Forget
Today isn’t about business. It isn’t about real estate.
It’s simply about remembering.
As we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, we hope we continue telling these stories—not only of where we were that morning, but of the people we lost, the sacrifices that were made and the humanity that emerged in the days that followed.
Where were you on September 11, 2001?
If you feel comfortable sharing, we invite you to leave your memory below. Twenty-five years later, sharing these stories is one small way we can continue honoring those whose lives were lost and ensuring that a new generation understands why we promised we would never forget.
We will never forget.
Lauren & Chris Dion
Selling Kiawah Team | Akers Ellis Real Estate & Rentals