On September 11, 2001, our nation faced an unimaginable tragedy. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost in the attacks on the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and Flight 93. Ordinary people—firefighters, police officers, first responders, office workers, and even strangers who became heroes—paid the ultimate price. That day forever changed America, leaving a wound that still aches even now, 24 years later.
The Families Who Still Carry the Loss
For every name etched in stone at the 9/11 Memorial, there is a family whose life was forever altered. Children grew up without parents, spouses learned how to carry on alone, and parents had to bury their sons and daughters.
Take the story of the Alvarez family. Raymond Alvarez, an electrician working in the North Tower, never came home that day. His daughter was just six years old when she last hugged her father goodbye. Now grown, she speaks at memorial services each year, reminding us that while America has moved forward, families like hers still live with the weight of loss every single day. Behind every number is a face, a name, and a family that still grieves.
A Brotherhood That Answered the Call
When the towers fell, it wasn’t only New York City firefighters and police who responded. In the days and weeks after, first responders from across the country poured into Ground Zero—brothers and sisters in uniform who refused to let New York carry the burden alone.
Some came in convoys of fire trucks from neighboring states; others flew in on their own time and joined the effort. Firefighters from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, and dozens of smaller towns worked side-by-side with New York’s Bravest. They slept on the pavement, ate donated meals, and gave everything they had to the rescue and recovery mission. It was one of the greatest demonstrations of solidarity in modern history.
The Day After: Courage in the Rubble
On September 12th, Ground Zero looked like another world—smoke rising, steel twisted, and a silence broken only by sirens and the sound of shovels. The “Bucket Brigades” became legendary: lines of firefighters, police officers, construction workers, and volunteers who passed debris by hand, bucket to bucket, searching for survivors or remains.
One of the most iconic images from that time is FDNY firefighter Mike Kehoe, captured climbing the stairwell of the North Tower as terrified civilians rushed down. He survived, but many of his brothers did not. His face became a symbol of the bravery of first responders who went in knowing they might not come out.
In the weeks that followed, men like Kehoe and thousands of others worked tirelessly at Ground Zero. Many labored without proper breathing protection, inhaling dust filled with asbestos, concrete, and toxic chemicals. Today, thousands suffer from cancer, lung disease, and other illnesses caused by that sacrifice. Their courage did not end on 9/11—it has lived on in the price they continue to pay.
A Nation That Rides to Remember
The motorcycle community has always had a strong tradition of honoring those we’ve lost, and 9/11 is no exception. Across the country, riders gather every September to participate in memorial rides, charity runs, and flag parades. The rumble of engines becomes a moving tribute—our way of saying, we will never forget.
From the annual “Ride to Remember” events to spontaneous gatherings at small-town memorials, bikers roll in with flags mounted high, chrome polished, and hearts heavy but proud. Many rides raise money for first responders and veterans’ organizations, keeping alive the spirit of service and sacrifice.
For us riders, the open road is more than a highway—it’s a place of reflection. When we throttle down and feel the wind on our faces, we carry with us the memory of those lost on 9/11 and honor their legacy with every mile.
Keeping the Flame Alive
This year, 24 years later, as we look back, let us not only remember the tragedy but also honor the resilience of the American spirit. Let us ride with gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy, respect for those who protect them, and commitment to stand united as a nation.
A Call to All Riders and Patriots
Motorcycle Rider News asks every rider—and every American—to show your patriotism tomorrow on 9/11 in some small but meaningful way. Take your bike out for a ride of remembrance. Mount an American flag on your motorcycle, your car, or even place one at your desk at work. Wear something red, white, and blue to symbolize the unity we all once felt for this great country.
These gestures, though simple, carry the powerful message that we have not forgotten. They remind us—and the world—that America stands strong, united, and free.
So tomorrow, start your engines, raise your flags, and ride with purpose. Because as long as we ride, we remember.
Never forget. Always ride free.
