Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, singer-songwriter John Ondrasik is reflecting on the unity and courage displayed in their aftermath, while also expressing concern about current societal divisions and the resurgence of extremist ideologies.
Ondrasik, known for his musical moniker Five for Fighting, released a song titled "Tuesday" in 2009 to commemorate the lessons learned from 9/11, an event he described as a moment when Islamic terrorists murdered 2,977 innocent people on American soil.
He recalled performing at the Concert for New York City shortly after the attacks, an experience that profoundly impacted him. The event, held at Madison Square Garden, brought together first responders, families of victims, and a broad spectrum of New Yorkers. Ondrasik noted the palpable sense of shared grief and solidarity, stating that for a few hours, music provided a space for release from the pain.
"America came together in a way we had rarely seen before and have not seen since," Ondrasik wrote. "There was no red America and blue America. There was only red, white and blue." He remembered Americans standing together with compassion and resolve, united in their commitment to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice.
However, Ondrasik expressed concern that the unified spirit of 2001 may not endure. He questioned whether the nation could muster the same cohesion if a similar-scale attack were to occur today, citing the infiltration of radical ideologies into universities and media, and the emergence of political figures who echo propaganda from terrorist organizations. He pointed to the aftermath of Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel as an example of a moral collapse within institutions, where some in the West rationalized or even celebrated the violence.
"If an attack on the scale of 9/11 occurred in America today, would we still respond as one people, one country?" Ondrasik posed, contrasting the potential reaction with the unity seen after 2001.
He emphasized that the threats facing the West have evolved but remain significant. While radical Islamism persists, antisemitism and anti-American extremism are increasingly visible across the ideological spectrum. Ondrasik warned that ideas once on the fringes now spread rapidly through universities, political movements, and social media.
"Never Forget" should be more than a slogan, Ondrasik asserted. It is an obligation to teach future generations about the events of 9/11, the nature of the attackers, and the consequences of unchecked extremism. Equally important, he stated, is remembering the heroism of those who responded to the attacks—the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and ordinary citizens who ran toward danger to save others, and the passengers of Flight 93 who fought back.
"They represent the best of humanity," Ondrasik said of the 9/11 heroes. "Twenty-five years later, their courage should still challenge and inspire us." He concluded that America's survival depends on each generation's commitment to defending its founding principles. The memory of those lost and the example of the heroes, he urged, should provide the strength and fortitude to fight for America daily.