On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the “9/11” terrorist attacks, the New York Chinese American Veterans Association held a candlelight memorial ceremony at the Kwok Leung Square in Manhattan’s Chinatown on the 11th. Politicians, veterans, community leaders, and students gathered to remember nearly 3,000 victims of the attacks, as well as those who passed away in the years since due to related illnesses, paying their respects through moments of silence, the traditional tolling of bells by firefighters, candle-lighting, laying of wreaths, and displaying photos of the victims.
Chairman of the New York Chinese American Veterans Association, Huang Jianzhong, mentioned that the 9/11 attacks resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people, but the tragedy did not end with the collapse of the Twin Towers. Over the past 25 years, many people have developed illnesses such as cancer from exposure to toxic dust at the World Trade Center site, with some of his own friends and family members succumbing to these diseases. He emphasized that commemorating 9/11 involves not only remembering the victims of that day but also not forgetting the families who have endured pain and loss for the past 25 years.
State Assemblywoman Li Rong’en reflected on her personal experience on that day. As a student at Columbia University at the time, she witnessed the burning and collapse of the Twin Towers from her dorm window. She recalled that after the buildings disappeared, all that was left in the place where the Twin Towers once stood was “an empty sky”; and amidst the chaos, frontline first responders went against the crowd, “rushing towards danger” to save lives. She stated that coming together 25 years later is a way to tell the world: “We will never forget.”
State Assemblyman Zheng Yongjia was near the Confucius Plaza in Chinatown at the time. He said, “How can you forget those smells, those sounds?” Following the attacks, he was called back to serve and later participated in homeland security work and overseas service. He also pointed out that Chinatown still bears some of the impacts left by 9/11, including the issue of Park Row closure, which he emphasized, “We must resolve.”
Councilman Ma Tai expressed that Chinatown, located adjacent to the World Trade Center site, suffered a heavy blow post-disaster, but residents chose to stay, supporting each other and rebuilding the community. Many young people today were not yet born at the time, so commemorative activities serve not only to look back on the pain but more importantly to help the next generation understand this history and keep the memories alive.
This legacy is also embodied in the younger generation. Aaron Chen, the Executive Director of the Chinatown Business Improvement District, mentioned that on that day, 25 students from Stuyvesant High School each held a photo of a “9/11” victim, symbolizing a life and a story behind each image. He hopes to continue this as a tradition by reading out the names of 25 different victims each year, stating that “even 100 years later, people will still speak their names.”
Frances Wong, who participated in post-9/11 community service, recalled that many places in Chinatown closed after the disaster, but the 1291 Division of the Kwok Leung Square remained open, becoming a place for some displaced residents to find and reunite with family members; it continued to provide relief services to affected residents for many years. This experience also witnessed the mutual support of Chinatown in times of crisis.
The restored Kwok Leung Memorial Arch also served as a significant backdrop for the commemorative activities. A representative from the City Parks Department stated that the restoration of the monument is just the first step in improving this public space, with future plans to continue enhancing the square’s environment and street safety improvements.