The 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is a poignant milestone for many New Yorkers, particularly those in Queens. As the city prepares to honor the lives lost, residents recall the moments when their world changed forever.
The events of September 11, 2001, left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of Queens. For some, the memories begin with the stark realization of the attacks unfolding on television screens. For others, the day was spent in schools or workplaces, scrambling to check on loved ones. A quarter-century later, the details remain etched in their minds—the people, the sounds, the fear, the acts of kindness, and the moments of uncertainty.
Personal Accounts from Queens Residents
Oswald Perez a Queens resident, was recovering from leg surgery when the first plane struck the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. He recalls turning on the TV and witnessing the horrific scene. “I went numb at the sight I’d just seen,” he said. The subsequent days were a blur, marked by suspended television programming and an eerily empty Times Square. The most striking memory for Perez was the glaring hole in the skyline, visible from his father’s car as they crossed the 59th Street Bridge. “The world had indeed changed,” he reflected.
Ingrid Duffer a second-grade teacher at the St. Benedict Joseph Labre School in Richmond Hill, remembered the day with a mix of fear and resilience. She was in her classroom when an announcement came about the attacks. “We were to keep the children in the classrooms, close our windows, and take turns getting updates from the TV,” Duffer said. She and her colleagues worked to maintain a sense of normalcy for their students, even as they grappled with their own anxieties. Duffer’s heart still breaks every September 11 as she remembers those lost, including her friend Judy’s godson, Santos, and seven FDNY members who were part of their third-grade teacher’s recent bridal party.
The Impact on the Community
Many Queens residents had friends and family members who worked in the Twin Towers or acted as first responders. The attacks left a profound impact on the community, with many losing loved ones or knowing someone who did. Joseph Quinn a Forest Hills resident, recalled the loss of his friends, NYPD Officer John W. Perry and Michel P. Colbert, who did not make it out.
The attacks also had a lasting effect on the city’s infrastructure and security measures. The FDNY and other emergency services faced unprecedented challenges, with the Maspeth Firehouse suffering the greatest loss of any New York City firehouse during the attacks. Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited the firehouse to pay tribute to the 19 firefighters lost, honoring their bravery and sacrifice.
Educational Initiatives and Memorials
As the memories of 9/11 recede, efforts to educate new generations about the attacks have become increasingly important. The New York City Council has allocated $1 million to expand student programming at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. This funding will support field trips for up to 20,000 students, ensuring that the stories of those lost are not forgotten.
The museum offers a range of programs designed for different age groups, from guided tours to virtual experiences. These initiatives aim to introduce younger students to the events of 9/11 in an age-appropriate manner, focusing on the responses and resilience shown by New Yorkers. The museum’s “Anniversary Digital Learning Experience” uses first-person accounts from survivors, first responders, and relatives of those killed, providing a poignant and educational resource for students.
As the city marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the stories of Queens residents serve as a reminder of the enduring impact of that fateful day. Through personal accounts, educational initiatives, and memorials, the legacy of September 11, 2001, continues to shape the community and ensure that the memories of those lost are honored and preserved.
