Mission Impact: Remembering Together
Twenty-five years later, September 11 remains a day remembered not only for what happened, but for how profoundly it changed the people who lived through it.
To understand the impact of that day on our group, The Flame of Liberty Times invited members of the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation to share their personal memories of September 11, 2001, and the days and years that followed.
Each account reflects a different place in life when the world changed, with each shaped by age, family, military service, work and personal experience. Some of our members were very young that day; others were already adults with families, careers and responsibilities. As the stories came together, we realized there is no single “right” way to remember September 11, and those differences are part of what makes these stories worth preserving.
Because these accounts are longer and more personal than what we typically publish, we have chosen not to condense them to fit our usual structure. Instead, each story has been given room to stand on its own, allowing readers to experience the memories and perspectives in the words of our members.
Some of these perspectives may be uncomfortable, dramatic, or surprising 25 years later. We believe they are worth hearing, not only to remember what happened, but to understand who we were then, who we became, and how those events continued to shape our lives.
We also hope these reflections provide you with an opportunity to connect reflection with action.
The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation remembrance program, 9/11 at 25: KEEPERS OF THE FLAME, will take place Friday, September 11, at 9:30 a.m. on the Los Gatos Civic Center Lawn. The following day, Saturday, September 12, offers another opportunity to honor those who have served; we provide links to help you search for participating cemeteries near you for the National Day of Service. Details about both of these activities and more can be found in Upcoming Events.
Thank you for allowing us to bring you these stories, information and opportunities; they help show who we are and what we care about. We hope you find something that resonates with you—perhaps an opportunity to join us.
As we honor those who came before us while supporting those who serve today, we remain grateful for those who helped shape our nation, those who continue to serve it, and your continued support of the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation.
In This Edition
🟥 Mission Moments
Feature Article: On an Otherwise Ordinary Morning…VMSF Remembers September 11
🟦 Upcoming Local Events and Patriotic Observances
Friday September 11: 9/11 at 25: KEEPERS OF THE FLAME remembrance program
Saturday September 12: Patriot Day / National Day of Service
Saturday September 19: Bert’s Stadium Sports Bar, Sunnyvale Veteran Suicide Prevention Fundraiser
Saturday-Sunday September 26-27: Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival
🟨 Yellow Ribbon Field Reports
The Yellow Ribbon: A Symbol of Support
🟪 Get Involved – Support the Mission
Donations and Volunteer Opportunities
⬜ Reference & Reflections
Did You Know
250 Years of America’s Stories Continues (Recurring feature)
Photo Gallery: Moments of Service & Building Connections
