In Honor of the 9/11 Anniversary
Each year, as the calendar turns to September 11, hearts across the nation pause in remembrance. It is a day that will forever be etched in our collective memory — a day of unthinkable loss, extraordinary bravery, and enduring legacy. For the families who lost loved ones, the pain never disappears. For the nation, the grief is shared. And for all of us, honoring the memory of those who perished is a solemn responsibility.
In the wake of the tragedy at the World Trade Center, countless acts of compassion emerged. One of the most poignant came in the form of a gesture that reached far beyond Earth — into the stars themselves.
On December 27, 2001, The Leader of Lyndhurst, NJ published a heartfelt story titled “Constellations Named for Fallen Sept. 11 Heroes.” The article shared the remarkable way the Firefighter Support Network and International Star Registry came together to create an eternal memorial for the brave first responders who gave their lives on September 11, 2001.
What began with a simple hope — to honor the seven firefighters from Ladder 101 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, known affectionately as the “Seven in Heaven” — quickly expanded into a powerful tribute. Through the efforts of the Firefighter Support Network and the generosity of International Star Registry, 406 stars were named and donated — one for each fallen firefighter, police officer, paramedic, and Port Authority officer who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Each star was recorded in the constellation Perseus, a fitting celestial home chosen for its deep mythological symbolism. In Greco-Roman legend, Perseus was the hero who conquered darkness and saved others, and was memorialized in the heavens by Zeus himself. For these fallen first responders — heroes in every sense — it was the most fitting tribute imaginable.
Each family received a framed certificate from International Star Registry® bearing their loved one’s star name, the date of September 11 as the dedication date, and the celestial coordinates where they could find their star in the night sky. Duplicate framed certificates were also sent to the respective firehouses and precincts, ensuring that every team had a permanent reminder of their lost brothers and sisters.
International Star Registry® was honored to be contacted and pleased to make this donation. The opportunity to participate in this memorial was not just a privilege — it was a sacred trust. At a time of such profound sorrow, naming a star can offer a quiet sense of comfort and permanence. It is a way for families to look up at the night sky and know that a part of their loved one is shining eternally.
Over the years, families and organizations have continued to find comfort in star naming as a memorial gesture. It is more than a gift — it is a way to create a legacy, a beacon in the darkness, and a marker of remembrance that will never fade. In times of loss, naming a star offers a sense of connection — a small, quiet light that reflects the love we still carry.
In the years since the attacks, September 11 has been marked by countless memorial events — candlelight vigils, bell tolls, moments of silence, and commemorations at Ground Zero. Across the country, communities gather to read the names of those lost and to ensure that the world never forgets the weight of that day.
Many 9/11 memorial foundations and survivor networks continue to host healing events and remembrance services. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City remains a vital space for education, mourning, and honoring the stories of both tragedy and heroism. Schoolchildren plant flags, firehouses open their doors to visitors, and families light candles in windows as a silent act of memory.
As the years pass, it becomes even more important to ensure that the names, faces, and lives of those lost are never forgotten. Acts of remembrance — from formal monuments to personal tributes — keep their spirits alive. And for those who gaze upward, the stars named in their memory twinkle quietly, eternally, in tribute to their courage and sacrifice.
At International Star Registry, we are continually reminded of the healing power of remembrance. Naming a star may be a small gesture, but it resonates in deeply personal ways — offering solace, honoring lives, and marking loss with light.
On this anniversary of September 11, we remember every mother, father, sibling, child, friend, and co-worker who lost someone that day. We honor the brave first responders who rushed in when others ran out. And we hold space for every person whose life was changed by the tragedy.
May their memories be eternal. May their names be remembered.
And may their stars continue to shine.
To learn more about naming a star as a memorial tribute