POLITICS: Letters to the Editor — Sept. 13, 2025

The Issue: The 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

Grace, kindness and understanding was what followed seeing our first responders and other citizens rush to save whoever they could under the horror of extraordinary terrorism on 9/11 (“9/11, 24 Years On,” Editorial, Sept. 11).

Now, I don’t see grace. I see political figures justifying horrific acts of violence, people politicizing shootings and some making thought crimes a good reason for assassination.

On 9/11, I implore my neighbors to remember that we are Americans who can come together and be decent to each other. Maybe, just maybe, we don’t even need a catastrophic event that kills thousands to remember that.

Rachel Cohen

Lafayette, Colo.

9/11 has become a day “to never forget” — but. unfortunately, many young people born after the horrific tragedy do not really know what took place. They should be taught that 9/11 was no accident, it was a well-planned-out terror attack on the United States.

The day has become a commemoration for those whose lives were lost — both innocent victims and first responders.

Phyllis Hochberg

Queens

I’m greatly troubled by the those who believe we must move on — that there is still too much talk of 9/11 after 24 years. We lost thousands of good people that day, and many are still dying from the effects.

The attack resulted in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where many of our men and women died fighting terrorism. How can we forget?

Future generations need to know what happened on that evil day. When we disregard history, we are doomed to repeat it.

Frederick Bedell Jr.

Bellerose

9/11 is a red flag that warns us to be cautious and to never forget what those who seek to destroy our country are all about.

It serves as a reminder that hatred encourages its followers to raise their fists and continue on their mission of death and destruction. We must all listen and take heed.

S.P. Hersh

Lawrence

Despite monumental tragedy on 9/11, New York City moved into the future and changed the meaning of resilience forever. Additionally, the small town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada, gave new meaning to the word “kindness” by welcoming all travelers who were stranded directly after the attacks.

You cannot put a value on what Gander’s citizens did. The entire town came together to care for guests.

Anant Nagpur

Ottawa, Canada

9/11 took thousands of lives and even more since, due to toxic exposure in the area that day.

It seems like yesterday, and despite the area being built back up in Manhattan, New York will never be the same.

Joseph Comperchio

Brooklyn

The Issue: The FireAid concert donating profits to “woke causes” instead of displaced fire victims.

It is disheartening to read that an event called “FireAid,” presented as a fundraiser with celebs to help victims of the wildfires, has instead given the money raised to everyone but the victims (“L.A. victims ask: Where’s ‘fireaid’ $$?” Sept. 10).

Shame on the performers for not following the money trail and shame on the organizers if this was some gimmick to raise money for other causes.

California fails miserably yet again.

Amy Hendel

Tarzana, Calif.

The story about the Los Angeles fire victims waiting for FireAid money made me laugh. It been almost 13 years since Hurricane Sandy, and I’m still waiting.

Remember the 12/12/12 concert to raise money for victims? Only the organizers do — every time they check their bank accounts.

James Panzo

Brooklyn

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