#NeverForget

September 11, 2001 was a day we all promised to never forget. We lost 2,763 people at the World Trade Center. That figure includes: 343 firefighters and paramedics, 23 New York City police officers and 37 Port Authority police officers.

Our shared tragedy galvanized our country and united our communities in a way I have never felt before or since. On that day we were not white or black or brown. We were not democrats or republicans. We were not cops or civilians. We were Americans united in grief all trying to help one another heal.

Eight years ago a dear friend of mine, mary jo white, was looking for a way to thank our city's First Responders for their service, sacrifice & commitment to always answer the call. She decided to make dinner for a local fire station & enlisted a few friends to join her in the effort. What started with a single tray of lasagna, grew into a community event and last year we served over 1100 meals to Pittsburgh's Finest.

This year, at the request of the city and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not able to visit our stations and carry on this tradition. So at a time when we really need to come together to heal, we had to find a new way to connect.

We decided to put together a video of pictures we've taken throughout the years and are sharing it with everyone.

We hope that it shines light on the good in our communities and our country and helps us not only remember our heroes on 9/11 but also how united we were on 9/12.

Special Thanks are owed to: Josie White, Marc Bruner, Theresa Kail Smith, Mildred Jenkins, Amera Gilchrist, Tiffany Kline-Costa, The City of Pittsburgh Public Safety, all of our volunteers, and to our First Responders for always answering the call.