We Must Preserve the Truth of 9/11 — Not Let It Be Erased

Remembering the Day That Changed Everything

As we approach the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, I am reminded of a profound moment in American history — one that forever altered our nation's identity and collective memory. I was in New York City on that fateful day, and I recall the horror of the Twin Towers collapsing, knowing what it meant for those trapped inside.

My young daughters called home terrified that the planes had hit their father's office, which sat just across the street from the towers. I remember my husband's colleagues witnessing panicked souls jumping to their deaths, while the city was blanketed in a rain of ashes. Some survivors walked miles through darkened streets, stranded by the closure of bridges and tunnels — frightened, exhausted, and covered head to toe in debris.

Erasing the Past Is a Form of Dishonor

It's unacceptable when public figures like Rep. Ilhan Omar dismiss the attack with vague phrases such as “some people did something.” This isn't about politics or ideology — it's about truth and accountability. We must not let anyone erase what happened on that day.

I remember calling friends and slowly piecing together who we had lost, and who had survived. Everyone knew someone who perished — a husband, a son, a friend. Lives were forever changed, darkened by hateful strangers.

When I speak of 9/11, I do so not as an observer, but as someone who lived through it — someone who witnessed the resilience and heroism in the face of unspeakable horror. The firefighters and police officers who charged into burning buildings; the ordinary citizens who helped others escape; those who died saving lives while knowing full well they might not survive themselves — these are the heroes we must honor.

Reimagining 9/11 in the Classroom

Today, as we look back on this defining moment, it becomes clear that the fight to preserve its truth is far from over. Leftist educators across America are increasingly attempting to reframe the narrative around 9/11, sometimes focusing more on the victims of prejudice than the attackers themselves.

Consider a curriculum developed by the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education — one picked up by several Democratic-run states — which teaches that "19 hijackers flew two airplanes into the Twin Towers" but fails to mention the role of Osama bin Laden or even identify who those 19 individuals were. That is not balanced reporting; that is a deliberate omission.

How can students understand the gravity of such an attack if they are taught only half the story? How can we expect future generations to grasp the significance of that day when their education ignores the radical Islamist motivations behind it?

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

There is a dangerous pattern forming in how history is being interpreted and taught. We are witnessing an effort by some to equate criticism of Islam with racism — despite the fact that most violent acts targeting Americans have come from extremists within the faith, not its adherents.

When we focus on so-called "Islamophobia," we obscure the real danger: the ideology that views America as an enemy. We must be clear-eyed about this. The threat came from radical Muslims, not peaceful worshippers or minority communities.

What We Must Do

As Americans, we owe it to the victims and their families to tell the full story of 9/11. This means teaching students the truth about who attacked us, why they did so, and how our response shaped the world today.

We must not allow political agendas to obscure the facts. The history of September 11th is not up for debate — it is sacred ground that deserves our reverence and remembrance. If we forget what happened, or if we refuse to acknowledge who committed those acts, then we dishonor every single life lost that day.

Twenty-five years later, we still mourn the friends we lost, the brave first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice, and thousands more who died at Ground Zero. Not speaking out about what really happened on 9/11 is to dishonor those tragic souls — and to fail future generations.

Let us ensure that the legacy of 9/11 remains intact — not rewritten by those who seek to silence its message.