For those who lived through it, we can still remember where we were when the news broke and the disbelief we felt as the news unfolded.

I feel it is our responsibility to remember, to honor the sacrifice of those who were lost, the bravery of first responders who ran toward danger, and the strength of a nation that came together in the face of tragedy. Each year, we can pause to reflect on not only the tragedy of that day but how it brought forward the best of humanity. Ordinary people chose to be heroes to others, and strangers stepped forward to help.

Courage and compassion rose from the ashes. In New York, historian Robert Snyder shared, “It was hell, but ordinary people stepped up and helped each other survive.” He was caught near the towers when they collapsed. Covered in ash, he stumbled into a McDonald’s, where workers pulled him inside and gave him and others water to clear their throats and towels to filter out the dust so they could breathe. One woman loaned him her phone so he could call his wife and tell her he was alive. He shares, “So the next time the anniversary of 9/11 comes around, and for the rest of your lives, remember the need for courage and generosity in a time of crisis.”

John Paluska, two weeks into his freshman year of college, woke up on Sept. 11 to hear the news that the towers were hit and witnessed the second tower fall. He jumped on the subway and went to Ground Zero, spending six days volunteering there with a rescue and recovery team, sharing that he “provided help whenever it was needed.”

As you can imagine, air traffic that day ground to a halt. Thousands of miles away, the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, in Canada, home to a population of nearly 10,000, turned itself upside down to welcome nearly 7,000 stranded travelers. Community television stations put out a call to “lend a hand, do what you can.” They offered food, beds, showers and pure kindness in the face of this global tragedy. They left a powerful lesson: to not turn your back on those in need.

These stories are just a few that remind us that the opportunity to serve is all around us, and that anyone can do it.

We are also deeply grateful for those who specifically devote their time and unwavering dedication to serving as firefighters, paramedics and police officers. These men and women carry the responsibility of being at their very best on our very worst days. It is an expectation and a sacred trust you place in your city leadership to ensure that when the moment comes, these professionals are ready to respond with courage, professionalism and compassion. Their selfless service reflects the highest ideals of our community.

When faced with darkness, light is found in the everyday acts of service and kindness. Honoring the spirit of sacrifice, 9/11 is recognized as a Day of Service. In American Fork each year, residents and employees take part in acts of service, big and small. Things like cleaning up parks, painting curbs, clearing our river channel of debris, cleaning neighbors’ yards and supporting local causes. We do this to help us remember 9/11.

But service is not meant to be confined to a single day. We can look for opportunities daily. I see it year-round: neighbors checking in on one another, volunteers giving time and resources, first responders answering calls at all hours.

On 9/11, the heroes were the police and firefighters. Heroes were also cashiers, students and residents of small towns. Anyone can choose to be a hero. We can choose to be united, not divided, strengthened by our past and determined to build a future of compassion, service and resilience. I invite you to join us in that spirit this Sept. 11 and in the days that follow. True remembrance is found not only in reflection but in action.

Brad Frost is the mayor of American Fork.