They stopped to read. They looked across the grounds. They listened.

For these students, Sept. 11, 2001, is part of history but not an actual memory. They are members of a generation that never experienced the day that changed the nation.

But on the 25th anniversary, they had the opportunity to learn about it from someone for whom Sept. 11 is deeply personal, while reflecting on how courage, sacrifice and faith can guide their own lives.

David Beamer is the father of Todd Beamer, who was a passenger aboard Flight 93. When hijackers took control of the plane, Todd and other passengers fought back.

“Well, it’s been 25 years since 9/11, and so many, many Americans, probably almost 100 million, were either not born or way too young to experience the day,” David said.

For him, that makes reaching young people increasingly important. He wants them to understand what happened, and what can be learned from those who lived it.

“The challenge going forward is for young people to not only know what happened, but also to gain some insight into the things that really are important, like teamwork, cooperation, courage and showing up to serve other people,” David said.

Those lessons were unfolding as students from Archbishop Hoban High School walked the memorial grounds and listened to the stories of those aboard Flight 93.

For the students, the experience became a lesson not only in history, but also in faith.

One Hoban senior reflected on the passengers knowing their lives were in danger and choosing to act despite their fear.

“They overcame that fear that most of us get trapped with and leave fear to make the decision for us,” the student said.

For the student, that courage and sacrifice also connected deeply to his Catholic faith.

“They were privileged enough to make that decision to save countless lives, sacrificing their own, just like Jesus did on the cross, saving lives for future generations to come,” the student said.

Another Hoban senior found a similar connection between Flight 93 and faith.

Standing amid the quiet landscape, the student reflected on the sadness of knowing it was the final resting place for so many, while also finding hope in what their actions represented.

“What they did is for the betterment of others, and it’s a symbol of courage and hope that we all can, you know, one day give our lives for others, which is the ultimate sacrifice,” the student said.

The students’ trip to the memorial was sponsored by the HALO Foundation, which stands for Hope Always Lives On. The Akron-based organization works to develop young people as servant leaders, using the selfless actions of the passengers and crew of Flight 93 as an example.

Jason Deal, now a social studies teacher at Archbishop Hoban High School, was teaching on Sept. 11, 2001. Today, his students know the attacks only through the stories, images and lessons passed down to them.

“You wake up one day and you realize that an entire generation of kids doesn’t know anything about this other than what you tell them,” Jason said.

For David, watching young people listen and learn offers a glimpse of what the future can look like.

“We’ve had an opportunity to interact with some wonderful young people,” he said. “They have their hands full, they’re eager to learn, and they’re growing up to be responsible Americans.”

These students will never have their own memories of Sept. 11, 2001.

But 25 years later, they can carry its lessons forward: courage in the face of fear, service to others and faith through unimaginable loss.