September 11, 2001, was tragic, horrific, and profoundly upsetting. It shook the foundation of the American people, serving as a turning point. The events of that morning shattered our sense of safety but awakened something human in us: the desire to come together, to help, to remember.
It’s a date etched into the American consciousness, and even after more than two decades, we still ask: how can we honor 9/11 in ways that do justice to the lives lost and the heroes who emerged?
The answer lies in how we show up for each other daily. That’s the spirit behind the National Day of Service and Remembrance, which turns grief into action and remembrance into a collective purpose. And where better to embody that spirit than in the workplace, where collaboration and shared goals shape our daily lives?
Whether remote, hybrid, or in-office, here are five powerful 9/11 remembrance ideas to bring meaning to your workday.
5 Ways to Honor 9/11 in the Workplace
1. Give Back to the Community
There is no better way to honor our heroes of 9/11 than to give back and make a difference in your community. 9/11 volunteer opportunities are plenty, and by participating in them, individually and collectively, you can come together and work for the greater good.
Charity Bike Build: The Charity Bike Build is TeamBonding’s most celebrated and impactful program, where teams unite to assemble and donate bikes to children who might not otherwise have one. With nearly 20,000 bikes gifted to date, this hands-on event blends purpose with collaboration, creating a high-energy atmosphere filled with joy and connection
Ideal for groups of 15 to 1,000, the one to two-hour experience is tailored for Corporate Social Responsibility and authentic team bonding. Partnering with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, the event becomes truly unforgettable, especially when children arrive to receive their brand-new bikes in person.
Wheelchairs in Motion: Wheelchairs in Motion is a high-impact, hands-on team building event where participants assemble and donate wheelchairs to disabled U.S. veterans and individuals in need of mobility support. Ideal for teams of 30 to 500, this one to two-hour experience blends collaboration, empathy, and a sense of purpose.
Guided by expert facilitators, teams complete challenges that highlight their strengths and reinforce the value of meaningful teamwork. TeamBonding partners with local veterans’ organizations, hospitals, and senior centers to ensure each wheelchair directly benefits someone in the community.
Impact Online: Impact Online is a purpose-driven virtual team building experience centered around the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. In teams of six or more, participants complete interactive challenges, trivia, and puzzles that promote collaboration, communication, and social awareness.
Each activity encourages strategic thinking and celebrates individual strengths while driving home real-world issues like clean water, education, and climate action. Points earned throughout the game are converted into charitable donations via the B1G1 foundation, creating a tangible impact. It’s an inspiring, educational experience that proves virtual connection can still create real-world change.
Paws For A Cause: Paws for a Cause is a fun, hands-on team building event where participants support local animal shelters by creating handmade dog beds, pull toys, and cat scratch pads. Through pet-themed games and trivia, teams earn points to “shop” for materials, combining creativity, competition, and compassion.
Ideal for 15 to 100 participants, this two-hour event boosts morale while promoting Corporate Social Responsibility. TeamBonding can even arrange for a shelter representative to accept the donations in person, adding a heartwarming impact to an already meaningful experience. It’s tail-wagging teamwork with a purpose.
2. Observe a Moment of Silence
Sometimes, the most powerful tribute is no words at all.
Observing a moment of silence, especially at the six nationally recognized times that mark pivotal moments of 9/11, connects your team to the emotional reality of the day.
Encourage employees to pause work, silence notifications, and gather—physically or virtually—to reflect. Share a list of moments ahead of time and consider reading the names of victims or playing soft, reflective music in the background. This is one of the simplest, yet most powerful 9/11 remembrance ideas that every workplace (and individual) can implement.
Here’s a breakdown of the six most significant moments of silence:
- 8:46 am- The exact instance when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower.
- 9:03 am- The moment when United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower.
- 9:37 am- The moment that American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon.
- 10:02 am- The moment when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a field outside Shanksville.
- 10:29 am- The moment when the North Tower collapsed.
3. Honor 9/11 with a Guest Speaker
Storytelling changes people. It stirs emotions and builds empathy. Inviting a guest speaker who lived through 9/11 or who speaks in public service can be a profound way to educate and inspire your team.
Whether it’s a firefighter, military veteran, Red Cross volunteer, or someone like motivational speaker Mark J. Lindquist, a live talk humanizes the experience and makes history feel real. These moments often spark lasting reflection and may inspire team members to take on new service commitments.
If your team is distributed, consider hosting a virtual speaker session followed by an open Q&A. This keeps engagement high and gives employees a platform to connect and reflect in meaningful ways.
4. Attend Memorial Activities for 9/11
There’s no shortage of commemorative events in September, and attending one as a team is a unified way to honor 9/11 at work.
Explore options like:
- Local or virtual memorial events and services at firehouses, town halls, or schools.
- 9/11 museum virtual tours, like those offered by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York.
- Webinars and panels on the long-term effects of the tragedy, including topics on counterterrorism, grief recovery, and the future of civic service.
- Online remembrance walls, where employees can post reflections, memories, or messages of love, peace, and hope.
Encourage employees to attend events during work hours, if possible, and consider following up with a discussion or journal prompt to help the experience resonate.
5. Fly Your Office Flag at Half Mast
It may be symbolic, but symbols matter, especially in times of remembrance. Lowering your flag on 9/11 is a visible sign of respect, one that aligns your team with a national act of remembrance.
Not every office has a flagpole, but that shouldn’t stop you. Share a digital banner, update your company’s intranet homepage with a tribute, or encourage employees to wear red, white, and blue on September 11. These small acts carry weight and communicate that your organization values compassion as much as productivity.
9/11 Remembrance Ideas to Honor Service Members
Asking how can we honor 9/11 also means acknowledging those who answered the call afterward. Thousands of men and women joined the military in the wake of 9/11, serving overseas in response to the attacks.
To honor these individuals, consider implementing year-round service opportunities like Operation Military Care. In this program, teams assemble care packages for active-duty troops, complete with non-perishable snacks, essentials like hygiene products, and personal messages. It’s one of the most heartfelt 9/11 remembrance ideas, reminding participants that support for service doesn’t have to end when the calendar turns.
You can also:
- Invite employees to write letters to service members through organizations like Soldiers’ Angels.
- Highlight veteran-owned businesses during team meetings or internal newsletters.
- Launch a donation drive to support military families in need.
By weaving these into workplace culture, you go beyond one day, building a practice of ongoing respect and commemoration.
Let us help you bring purpose, empathy, and teamwork to your 9/11 remembrance events. Contact TeamBonding now so your workplace can honor the past while building a better future.
