Family who lost father, husband on 9/11 wants more recognition for National Day of Service

Brennan Basnicki'sgoal isfor people to reshape the way they view the anniversary of 9/11.

Basnicki is one of many Canadians who were affected by the tragedy. He was just 16when his father Ken was killed in the north tower of the World Trade Centre while on a business trip in New York.Ten years ago, hewelcomedthe federal government's declarationofSept. 11 as the National Day of Service.

"What an opportunity to say thank you to our first responders, our men and women of service, and that can be anything from volunteering to making a donation," he said, adding his focus is bringing more awareness to the National Day ofService in Canada.

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, four coordinated terror strikes played out on American soil with two hijacked aircraft crashinginto the twin towersin New York. The third commercial jet slammed intothe Pentagon in Virginia. The fourthairlinerfailed tohit its target when the passengers attacked the al-Qaeda extremists who hijacked it. Thatplane crashed in a Pennsylvania field with no survivors.

Nearly 3,000 people died, and 25,000 more were injured.

WATCH| CBC Toronto's Talia Ricci talks to the wife and son of s manwho diedin the 9/11 attacks

But asthe 20th anniversary of the terrorattack approaches, Basnicki and hisfamily arepushing for it to be more widely recognized and for people to remember that day in a different way.

"One of the goals of terrorism is to inflict terror and focus on the negatives and we're trying to reframe that," Basnicki said.

"Remember the positive things that came in the aftermath."

He personally reflects on the people who brought his family meals and flowers after his father died, as well as organizations like Scholarship America, whichsupported both him and his sister throughout their post-secondary education.

Basnicki says people often comment on how much he resembles his father. He says he has also embraced many of the same hobbies and interests, particularly sports.

"I know if he were around we'dout on the water, skiing, doing whatever together."

'He's stillwith me'

Basnicki says it was his mother Maureen who spearheaded their advocacy work. She was a flight attendant on a layover in Germany and couldn'tbe contacted after the attacks.She was stuck there for a few days while flights were grounded. Following 9/11,she was unable to return to her job, and took up a number of charitable causes and political activism roles.

"Being an advocate and trying to redefine9/11 as a positive day instead of one of hate and horror is very much a part of my healing process," she said, adding she would would love to see more people taking the day to volunteer and give back to the community.

"It's a much better goal or mission than it is to dwell on that day that changed our world."

In a statement, John Babcock,spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, says governmentrepresentatives will take part in events commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacksin the U.S. and in Canada.

"They will represent Canada in remembering the lives taken so cruelly, and offer our deepest sympathies to their loved ones on behalf on all Canadians," the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Maureen says the family intentionally chooses a different day to mourn the loss of Ken.She describes himas an amazing husband and father, and says recognizing the National Day of Service is the best way to create a living legacy for him and the 23 other Canadians who were killed.

"I had 20 years with Ken and now I've had20 years without him," she said.

"But he's still with me."