Hello from Erin and Yi! As New Yorkers we pay special attention and reverence to the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. We know this time can be over whelming with emotion. To help provide some proactive focus we are sharing with you some of the actions we will be taking to remember 9/11.

Watch a documentary. Last year the History Channel has created three films commemorating the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. if you re open to these kind of reminder, look for these titles for well done and documented films to watch: Rise and Fall: The World Trade Center. 9/11: Four Flights, 9/11: I Was There. Each giving further story and perspective on the attacks. 

Check out the History Channel for airing times. Of course these specials are filled the reality of the attacks. Please use discretion when deciding what is best for you and children. I personally will not be showing documentaries to my children. Because Yi and I live in New York City our children are knowledgable about the attacks. We have plans in place for emergencies and ways to cope with their potential travel anxiety. (Which does happen.) 

A moment of silence: Six moments of silence mark the times when each of the World Trade Center towers was struck, when each tower fell, and the times corresponding to the attack at the Pentagon, and the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

8:46 a.m.: Hijackers deliberately crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into floors 93 through 99 of the North Tower.
9:03 a.m.: Hijackers deliberately crashed United Airlines Flight 175 into floors 77 through 85 of the South Tower.
9:37 a.m.: Hijackers deliberately crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon, near Washington, D.C.
9:59 a.m.: The South Tower collapsed.
10:03 a.m.: After learning of the other attacks, passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 launched a counterattack on hijackers aboard their plane to try to seize control of the aircraft. In response, the hijackers crashed the plane into an empty field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
10:28 a.m.: The North Tower collapsed.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum will lead the commemorative ceremony Anniversary focusing on reading of the names by family members in-person and pausing to observe the six moments of silence. The program will commence at 8:30 a.m., and the first moment of silence will be observed at 8:46 a.m. You will also hear houses of worship toll the bells at these times. 

View the "Tribute in Light": Tribute in Light is a commemorative public art installation presented every year on 9/11 from dusk to dawn. It has become an iconic symbol that both honors those killed and celebrates the unbreakable spirit of New York.  At sundown, the annual “Tribute in Light” with two beams of light will illuminate the night skyline of New York City.  It is a perfect memorial to reflect and remember. 

Assembled on the roof of the Battery Parking Garage south of the 9/11 Memorial, the twin beams reach up to four miles into the sky echoing the shape and orientation of the Twin Towers. The installation can also be viewed from a 60-mile radius around lower Manhattan.

Run to remember: Run events unite communities with the goal to never forget the sacrifices of all of our nation’s heroes, from the first responders who came to the aid of thousands of Americans in New York City, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania, to the service members who have worn the uniform with pride since that day. There are hundreds of community events to come together as a community. September 11 memorial stair climbs and races are held every year to mark the anniversary of 9/11. Many are coordinated through the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Learn more about stair climb across the nation or if stairs are a little too intense find a 9/11 hero run near you. 

Talk with friends and family: Of course the best way to commemorate is to talk, tell stories and listen. You never know how and who was effected and in what way. Yi and I live in NYC and our kids have known about 9/11 since they were little. We have walked the memorial, we view the "Tribute of Light." and we have ICE plans for the future. If you are ready and looking for help to explain 9/11 to your children try this resource  or this article https://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/everything-kids/how-to-talk-about-911-with-your-kids/ for some further ideas. 

Thanks for reading and remembering - tell us in the comments your ideas to never forget.