SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns across the state marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, reflecting on sacrifice, unity, and the cost of freedom. The memory of the day remains sharp for many who lived through it, even as lessons can blur over time, according to insights shared by local officials and veterans.
Marc Halliday, an Army veteran, served for more than 24 years, including in military intelligence during the attacks. Halliday recounted that his day “got very busy” due to his active duty service in military intelligence at that time. He also dedicated approximately 20 years as a firefighter, making the losses from that day personal for him. Halliday spoke emotionally about the need to understand “what freedom means” and the friendships he lost. He emphasized the importance of uniting humanity, stating it is “not about one side or the other” or “right or wrong,” but about collective action “as people of this great nation.”
In Bountiful, Mayor Kate Bradshaw began the morning by honoring the 343 firefighters who died in New York on Sept. 11, 2001, alongside local first responders. Bradshaw, who was 20 years old on the day of the attacks, noted that the event carries new significance for her as mayor. She shared that she feels “a little pit in my stomach” when she hears sirens in her city, expressing concern for both her residents and “the people who rush to danger.” Bradshaw highlighted that Bountiful’s firefighters were paying tribute to their fallen “comrades.”
Gov. Spencer Cox also reflected on the vivid images and emotions of that morning. He urged Utahns to seek common ground, stating that people do not need to “vote the same way, believe the same things, or agree on every issue” to engage in activities like packing meals, helping neighbors, or solving problems together. Governor Cox suggested that such shared experiences could transform how people perceive each other, serving as a reminder that those with whom individuals disagree are still “our neighbors, our coworkers, and our fellow Americans.”
As part of the statewide observances, the Utah National Guard organized “Friday Night Flights,” featuring flyovers of high school football stadiums on Friday night. These aerial tributes were part of events honoring the lives lost 25 years ago. A Kaysville woman also reflected on family members lost on Sept. 11, contributing to the broader statewide remembrance.
