A quarter-century has passed since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, but their impact remains deeply embedded in Arizona — in its firefighters, military families, airports, public safety systems and even a generation that knows 9/11 only through history books.

This week, Arizona communities are marking the 25th anniversary with ceremonies that demonstrate how the attacks continue to resonate. At Tempe Beach Park, thousands of American flags fill the Healing Field, each representing a life lost on 9/11. The anniversary observance includes a reading of victims’ names, candlelight vigil, concert and 5K.

But Arizona’s connection to 9/11 extends far beyond remembrance.

DEEPER DIVE: Here are Arizona’s Most Admired Companies of 2026

Arizona answered the call

In the aftermath of the attacks, Arizona Task Force 1 deployed 62 firefighters, police officers, doctors and dog handlers to Ground Zero. Phoenix firefighters spent weeks working amid the rubble, participating in the recovery operation under conditions that remain vivid 25 years later.

That experience became part of Arizona’s public safety legacy, reinforcing the importance of specialized emergency response teams capable of deploying when catastrophe strikes.

This year, Phoenix is connecting that legacy with a generation born after the attacks. Its “Voices Across Generations” program brings Arizona Task Force 1 members together with young people to discuss what happened, what responders experienced and why 9/11 still matters.

Security became part of everyday life

For Arizonans who fly through Phoenix Sky Harbor and other airports, one of the most visible legacies is airport security.

Before 9/11, airport screening was largely handled by private contractors, and friends and family could commonly accompany travelers to their gates. The attacks ushered in federally controlled passenger screening and layers of security procedures that remain part of air travel today.

The changes extended beyond airports. Security at stadiums, concerts and other large public gatherings became increasingly commonplace in the post-9/11 era.

A military legacy

The attacks also launched a generation of American military service. The wars and operations that followed touched military communities across the country, including Arizona, leaving a legacy carried by veterans and their families.

Nationally, the post-9/11 conflicts resulted in the deaths of thousands of U.S. military personnel and created long-term healthcare obligations for veterans.

Keeping memory alive

Perhaps the greatest challenge 25 years later is ensuring 9/11 remains more than a chapter in a textbook.

Arizona communities are confronting that challenge through remembrance. Gilbert’s 9/11 Memorial Plaza incorporates a beam from the World Trade Center’s North Tower. Glendale hosts the 9/11 Tower Challenge, where participants climb 2,071 steps, representing the World Trade Center towers. Scottsdale, Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe are also holding commemorations.

For millions of younger Americans, Sept. 11 is history rather than memory. For Arizona, however, its legacy remains visible — in the people who responded, the veterans who served, the security measures residents encounter every day and the thousands of flags rising again in Tempe.

Twenty-five years later, Arizona is still remembering — and still living with the world 9/11 helped create.