A Letter from Our Founder

“To forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.”

- Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, on the importance of remembrance.

On this 25th anniversary of 9/11, the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance recommits to honoring the 2,977 lives lost, the first responders who answered the call, and all those whose lives were forever changed by that day. That commitment has resulted in a 1,500+ mile trail and greenway, a symbol of resilience, remembrance, and honor, connecting New York City’s National September 11th Memorial & Museum (opens in new window), the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial (opens in new window) in Arlington, Virginia, and the Flight 93 National Memorial (opens in new window) near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The 9/11 National Memorial Trail honors the fallen in a tangible way, keeping their memories alive for generations to come. Spanning 1,500+ miles, it is more than a route. It is a living tribute and a “Trail of Remembrance.”

The 9/11 Trail’s inception came at the Mid-Atlantic Governors’ Conference on Greenways, Blueways and Green Infrastructure set for September 16-19, 2001, just blocks south of the Pentagon. When the attack occurred, calls went out, and the governors’ offices agreed to proceed even though a no-fly rule was in effect and the country was reeling from the events of September 11, 2001. At the concluding forum, I expressed my hope that we could find a way to meld our love for trails and greenways with our response to this national tragedy. Looking at the locations of the three attack sites, one could imagine a triangle, an unbroken connection signifying America’s resilience and strength.

The September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance was incorporated in 2002. A board of directors and supporters joined the call. Federal legislation to designate the September 11th National Memorial Trail was championed by the late Congressman Gerry Connolly, along with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Congressman Don Beyer, and other bipartisan supporters. After considerable effort, the legislation passed the House by a vote of 423-0 and the Senate by unanimous consent and was signed into law on October 13, 2021. The support from the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and states and localities has been phenomenal. Pennsylvania has committed to installing signage along the Trail across the Commonwealth; signage is now being installed, and the National Park Service is doing the same for federal sites.

Since that fateful day in 2001, remembrances have been held and memorials constructed across the globe. Communities near and far continue to find ways to ensure that the lives lost and the heroism displayed on September 11 are remembered.

As Elie Wiesel reminds us, forgetting those lost is akin to losing them a second time. Those alive on 9/11 clearly remember where they were on that day and at 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m., and 10:03 a.m. Now, 25 years later, an entire generation has been born who have only heard or read about 9/11. As time passes and fewer Americans have firsthand memories of September 11, the responsibility to preserve and share these stories becomes even more important.

To keep this memory alive, I urge all to join together for the next 25 years as the 9/11 Trail is further developed and improved. So much remains to be done as we honor the fallen: physical work along the Trail, telling the stories of those heroes, engaging communities, and building partnerships with recreational and patriotic organizations.

Please join or continue your support of the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance and its mission. Whether through a financial contribution, volunteering for a project along the 9/11 Trail, or helping share its story, each of us has a role in ensuring that the heroes of September 11 are remembered for generations to come.

Twenty-five years ago, this Trail began as an idea born from tragedy. Twenty-five years from now, I hope it stands stronger than ever as a living tribute to those we promised never to forget.

David Brickley, Founder and President Emeritus
September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance