Flags were flown at half-staff in Skokie and across the North Shore as residents and first responders paused to remember the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. These attacks, which occurred 25 years ago, reshaped the nation. Reflecting on that day, Skokie resident Kathy Ryan shared her memories at one of the remembrance ceremonies hosted by the Skokie Fire Department. “I’ll never forget the day it happened,” she recalled. Ryan was preparing to leave for her bowling league when her husband urged her to watch the news. Initially, he believed a small plane had crashed. Ryan insisted, however, noting the directness of the attack.
Ryan described the moment as one where the entire world seemed to pause, attempting to understand the events unfolding. “All of a sudden, everything got silent,” she stated, adding that when airlines were grounded, the silence was palpable. “You could hear the birds.” Ann Green, a friend, joined Ryan at the ceremony, and she remembered the personal impact. “My parents lost friends,” Green said. “It’s just sad. It’s a sad day.” Annually, Green and Ryan visit Fire Station 16 on Niles Center Road to honor the victims of 9/11 and the first responders who died that day.
This year’s ceremony felt particularly significant, as the attacks, which included hijackings leading to crashes into New York City’s Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, occurred exactly a quarter century ago. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives. On Sept. 11, 2026, Skokie firefighters stood at attention during a commemorative march and flag-lowering ceremony. The event began at 8:59 a.m., near the time Flight 175 struck the World Trade Center’s south tower.
Members of Skokie’s Fire Department, alongside police officers, emergency service operators, and public safety staff, engaged in an honor guard procession. Dozens of local residents attended. Following a ceremonial march and flag-lowering, first responders observed a moment of silence. “It’s an important day in fire service history,” Skokie Fire Chief Nicholas Eschner noted. He emphasized remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice and the lessons learned, transforming operations today.
The tradition began in 2002, with Skokie’s Fire Department continuing the ceremony in “nearly identical” fashion each year. Although there was consideration of change for this anniversary, the decision was to maintain the established ceremony. Eschner reflected on how the tragedy shaped his career path. “I was in high school at the time, and that day solidified my decision to become a firefighter.”
Skokie Police Chief Jesse Barnes remarked on the event’s impact on law enforcement. “9/11 changed everything for us; it forced a focus on training, technology, and safety tools.”
Surrounding communities like Evanston, Winnetka, Glencoe, and Northfield held their memorials. For example, Evanston activities included speeches by local dignitaries and survivor Mark Shore. In Northfield, a bell tolling marked the moment the first tower fell. Skokie resident Ryan stressed the importance of these commemorations. “It’s hard to believe it was 25 years ago, but it still feels like yesterday,” she said.
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