As we approach the 25th anniversary of September 11th, Pete Davidson is opening up about what the day means to him—not just as a New Yorker, but now as a father himself.

Pete was just seven years old when his father, New York City firefighter Scott Davidson, was killed responding to the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. It’s a loss that has been part of Pete’s story for most of his life.

But becoming a dad has given that story a new meaning.

Davidson has spoken about honoring his father through his daughter, including giving her a name connected to the dad he lost. As she grows up, Pete says he wants to make sure she knows who her grandfather was—not simply through the tragedy of 9/11, but through the stories, memories and personality of the man behind the uniform.

That feels especially important as we mark 25 years.

Pete has also reflected on attending a therapeutic camp for children who lost family members because of 9/11. Being around other kids who understood what he was experiencing helped him cope with something almost impossible for a child to understand.

Now he's using something that became a huge part of his own life—comedy—to give back. Davidson is involved with a comedy benefit supporting first responders and those who continue to live with the impact of September 11th.

His message is an important one.

September 11th will always be a day of tremendous sadness and loss. But Pete doesn't want the anniversary defined only by horrific images, documentaries or internet memes. He also wants us to remember what happened afterward.

People helped each other. First responders ran toward danger. Neighbors became family.

New Yorkers showed the world just how resilient they could be.

For those of us in the Hudson Valley and throughout the New York area, September 11th will always feel incredibly close to home. Twenty-five years later, we remember those we lost, honor the families who carry that loss every day, and continue supporting the first responders who answered the call.

And maybe one of the most meaningful ways to remember is exactly what Pete Davidson plans to do with his daughter:

Tell the stories. Remember the people. Keep their names alive.