KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Twenty-five years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Soldiers and community members gathered at Panzer Kaserne, Kaiserslautern, Germany on Sept. 9, 2026, to remember the lives lost, honor the first responders who answered the call and reflect on the generations of service that followed. The 21st Theater Sustainment Command held a ceremony Sept. 11, 2026, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. The ceremony honored the victims, first responders and heroes who sacrificed their lives to help others, while also recognizing the support of U.S. allies following the attacks. For Maj. Gen. Michael Lalor, commander of the 21st TSC, the anniversary carries a deeply personal meaning. “I was a captain on that day in 10th Mountain Division,” Lalor said. “A couple of months later, I was a company commander. Just a short time after that, I was in Afghanistan as a company commander, as part of the early days of Operation Enduring Freedom.” The attacks ultimately shaped the course of Lalor’s military career and influenced his decision to continue serving. “It probably kept me in this uniform all these years,” Lalor said. “I felt compelled from where I was from, from being from New York, from being in service to caring for the passion of the Soldiers and staying and continuing to serve.” For Sgt. Maj. James Bailey, a chief religious' affairs specialist, the attacks are remembered from a different perspective. Bailey was in high school when the attacks occurred and remembers watching the events unfold on television in his classroom. “Seeing all of the events in real time had an indelible impact on me,” Bailey said. “Just the understanding that everything was going to change.” Bailey said that the images of first responders and civilians helping others left a lasting impression, despite the devastation of the attacks. “It was inspiring,” Bailey said. “At the same time, it was just devastating.” Twenty-five years later, the significance of Sept. 11 remains present throughout the military community, even as fewer Soldiers have firsthand memories of the attacks. Lalor said that nearly 80% of the 21st TSC’s current Soldiers joined the Army after Sept. 11, 2001, highlighting the importance of passing those memories to future generations. “You recognize the time has moved on, but the memories and the people understand the importance of it,” Lalor said. “That has not changed.” The anniversary provides an opportunity to remember not only those who lost their lives, but also the service members who answered the call in the years that followed. Bailey said that remembering Sept. 11 is ultimately about honoring those who sacrificed themselves to protect others and ensuring the lessons of that day remain with future generations. “Time passes, memories fade,” Bailey said. “But we always try to remember those who jumped into the fire.”