Surviving 9/11: A Personal Journey of Remembrance and Tribute

Certain moments in life remain vivid, regardless of time. September 11, 2001, stays with me, not from news stories but personal experience. I narrowly escaped the tragedy.

At almost three, my sister Heather and I, children of a military family, went to daycare at the Pentagon Child Development Center. It was our community.

After Flight 11 hit the World Trade Center’s North Tower at 8:46 a.m., followed by the South Tower at 9:03 a.m., nervousness gripped the Pentagon. At 9:37 a.m., Flight 77 struck the Pentagon as I was inside.

Being so young, I didn’t grasp the situation. Chaotic scenes filled my memory. Courageous service members evacuated us. My parents later learned that service members rushed to help right after the impact.

Infants like Heather, only four months old, were placed in cribs and carried to a safe spot near Boundary Channel. Toddlers held hands or were carried to the same place. There, daycare workers comforted us until our parents arrived.

Immediate Reactions and Long-term Impacts

My mom, working at Bolling Air Force Base, had immediate tasks. Dad, retired from the USMC, found us and evacuated us from the city.

Post-trauma, I showed signs of regression, sleeping over 24 hours the first night. But the impacts of 9/11 ran deeper.

Being evacuated from daycare and living in a military environment led me to a military career. Learning about many unsung heroes inspired me. Today, at 27, I’m a captain in the U.S. Air Force, a TH-1H helicopter instructor pilot.

My parents, planning to raise us in Virginia, continued their service. Mom retired after 30 years in the Air Force. They lived honoring those who lost lives, inspiring Heather and me to do likewise.

Remembering and Honoring the Fallen

Reflecting on anniversaries, I noticed awareness of 9/11 diminishing. In school, its significance was known. By high school, the flag wasn’t lowered on September 11th until I intervened.

Determined to fulfill the promise to “Never Forget,” I initiated Run to Remember 2,977. I aimed to run a mile for every lost life. Each mile honored a name, totaling 2,977 miles.

I began the campaign on September 11, 2025, with a 9.11-mile run. Initial miles honored the 184 lives at the Pentagon, followed by Flight 93 heroes. Remaining miles remember those lost in New York City.

The final miles honor first responders who sacrificed their lives. They exemplified courage and selflessness.

Over the year, this effort deeply impacted me. Initially personal, it became a shared tribute. Social media helped connect families, revealing the human impact.

Responses surpassed expectations. Families shared their stories, providing profound insights into the nation’s loss and resilience over 25 years.

The trust families placed in me to share loved ones’ stories is indescribable. I thank them wholeheartedly.

Run to Remember 2,977 offers a place for memories to persist. For those too young to recall 9/11, I hope my campaign conveys the profound human impact, not just an historical event.

The Question of What-Ifs

People ask about what-ifs. I wonder if others had these 25 years back.

Visiting the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, I think of Dana Faulkenberg who, like me, was born in 1998. Now pursuing my career dreams, Dana remains forever three. It’s difficult to process how much life was taken, how many children never grew up.

As likely one of the youngest with 9/11 memories, I feel a duty to share these stories, upholding the promise to “Never Forget.” The 25th anniversary reminds us to reflect on supporting each other and honoring past sacrifices.

Hanna Born, 27, serves as a U.S. Air Force captain and TH-1H helicopter instructor pilot. She pays tribute to every 9/11 victim by running 2,977 miles, each mile dedicated to a life lost. Hanna shares her journey on social media (@runtoremember2977 on Instagram), encouraging others to remember every day.