09/11/2026
Twenty‑five years ago, the world was shaken by a darkness that tried to silence hope. Yet even in that moment of sorrow, the American spirit began weaving its quiet strength. New York— the city that embraced my family nearly a century ago—was wounded, but never defeated. I still remember standing in the Twin Towers in 2000, guided by a kind stranger whose fate I will never know. I carry the hope that he survived.
When I returned in 2009, and again in 2013, I saw the transformation of the site—grief slowly giving way to renewal. The Memorial, with its gentle trees and flowing water, feels like a sanctuary where courage breathes. The photographs of the fallen whisper stories of love, sacrifice, and families forever changed. I thought of my brother in the U.S. Air Force, and of all who served with devotion, some never returning home.
The new tower rises like a promise—an emblem of a nation that rebuilds, evolves, and keeps moving toward greatness. I was blessed to sketch the memorial while the tower was still growing, capturing a fleeting moment in its rebirth. A cold day, black ink on white paper, and a city healing before my eyes.
Hope lives in this place. Strength lives in this place. And the gratitude I feel for firefighters, police officers, and the men and women of our military is endless. Their courage continues to shape the light that guides us forward.
We Will Always Remember You!
#911
