Nearly a quarter-century ago, the 9/11 terrorist attacks of 2001 not only stole the lives of 2,977 people but also irreparably reshaped the lives of survivors and their families.

Each year, hundreds come together at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, where the Twin Towers once stood, and reflect on one of the great catastrophes to take place on American soil. That tradition continued Thursday morning, with moments of silence marking the painful sequence of the attacks that happened 24 years ago, but for many, seem like they occurred only yesterday.

Twenty-four years ago, Peter Bitwinsk was on the 69th floor of the North Tower when the first plane struck. The impact sent him hurtling into his desk. The next two minutes, he described, were the longest in his life.

“We were 22 fl

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