By Todd DePastino
For many of us, September 11, 2001, remains a vivid personal memory. We remember where we were when we heard the news. We remember the smoke, the confusion, and the sense that history had suddenly burst into our lives like an unwelcome intruder.
But twenty-five years is a long time.
More than a generation of Americans has grown up with no memory of that day. For them, 9/11 belongs to history rather than lived experience. As that anniversary approaches this September, we wanted our Summer 2026 issue of VBC Magazine to explore that transition from memory to history.
Inside this issue, you’ll find reflections on what 9/11 changed, stories from veterans whose lives were shaped by the wars that followed, and thoughtful examinations of decisions and events that continue to influence our world today. The stories don’t always agree on the larger meaning of 9/11. Think of them, collectively, as a conversation built around diverse experiences and perspectives. The Veterans Breakfast Club exists to host such conversations.
History doesn’t write itself, nor do veterans’ stories get passed along without someone taking the time to tell them and others taking the time to hear them.
This summer also marks an important milestone for the Veterans Breakfast Club with the opening of our new Welcome Center in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood. It’s our first permanent home after nearly two decades of gathering in restaurants, community centers, libraries, churches, and online. We hope it will become another place where veterans, families, students, and neighbors can gather to share stories, ask questions, and keep history alive through conversation.
Would You Like to Receive VBC Magazine?
VBC Magazine is published quarterly and mailed free to Veterans Breakfast Club members and friends.
If you’re not currently receiving the magazine but would like to, we’d love to add you to our mailing list. Email us at todd@veteransbreakfastclub.org or subscribe here:
https://veteransbreakfastclub.org/subscribe/
When you subscribe, you’ll receive both our quarterly VBC Magazine and our weekly VBC Bulletin e-newsletter, featuring upcoming programs, veteran stories, historical articles, and news from the Veterans Breakfast Club community.
