For an entire generation, the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, is a day known only through history books, photographs, or the stories of those who lived through it.
For Pat Bavis, that day isn’t just history; it’s personal. “My brother was 31 years old. How could he have changed the world if he was still here today?” Bavis said.
Pat’s brother, Mark Bavis, was 31 years old when he was killed aboard United Airlines Flight 175, the plane that struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
Tomorrow marks 25 years since the September 11th attacks.
Here's a live look at New York City.
People will gather at Ground Zero tomorrow to honor the victims and first responders.
Back home, nearly 3,000 flags will sit at the Boston Public Garden in remembrance of
the lives lost.
Boston 25 News reporter Ellie Morillo is live in Boston now.
Ellie, one organizer turned his personal loss into education.
Yeah, for Pat Bavis, 9-11 goes way beyond just remembrance.
His brother, Mark, is one of the many people who lost their lives that day, and now he's
encouraging the younger generation to not just understand the history, but who and what
we promised never to forget.
My brother was 31 years old.
How could he have changed the world if he was still here today?
This is Mark Bavis, a son, an uncle, but for Pat, he's simply a brother.
On September 11th, 2001, Mark was aboard United Airlines Flight 175, the plane that
struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
As a family member that lost someone, you never get away from it.
Pat says Mark never made it home.
That's why I've taken up this education program for my healing, and also to make a difference.
Now Pat's mission to honor his brother's life continues, not only through the Massachusetts
9-11 Fund, but through the Mark Bavis Leadership Foundation, which provides selected recipients
with annual grants for school tuition and other appropriate extracurricular activities.
Today there's 14 states in the country that mandate that 9-11 is taught in their schools.
Massachusetts is not one of them.
I'm challenging all the history teachers in Massachusetts to continue or teach 9-11.
A reminder that part of the mission is also making sure that September 11th is not just
another date in our history books.
We are live in Boston.
I'm Ellie Murillo for your local station, Boston 25 News.
There are memorials and tributes planned across the country.
Ellie, thank you so much for that tribute.
We can't believe 25 years have passed since this anniversary now tomorrow.
We're going to have.
