As the 25th anniversary of the 11 September attacks nears, relatives of those killed and survivors say the trauma of that day remains a continuing presence in their lives. For many, the passage of a quarter-century has not brought the closure they hoped for, with memories and questions of why and how the attacks happened described as "always with them".
The legal process surrounding the suspected mastermind of the attacks has yet to reach a courtroom, and that delay is a source of frustration for bereaved families. They say the absence of a trial, and the prolonged uncertainty it represents, has prevented a measure of public accountability and has left some emotional wounds unhealed.
Each anniversary brings memorial services, quiet personal remembrances and public ceremonies in cities across the United States and abroad. Officials and community groups mark the day with moments of silence and events intended to honour victims and to underscore the long-term human cost of the attacks, but for many individuals those observances do not lessen the daily impact of their loss.
Beyond individual grief, the unresolved legal questions feed broader debates about how to pursue justice after mass-casualty attacks. Advocates for the victims call for a timely and transparent resolution, arguing that a formal trial would help clarify facts and deliver accountability. Others point out that legal, logistical and national-security issues can complicate efforts to move quickly.
As families and communities prepare to mark 25 years since the events that reshaped global security and politics, the enduring bitterness of unresolved legal proceedings remains a central theme. For those who lost loved ones, the anniversary is not only a time for remembrance but also a renewed call for answers and closure that many say they are still waiting for.