Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001 attacks, families of the nearly 3,000 victims are still awaiting justice, with the trial for the alleged mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, now scheduled for June 2028.

The attacks, which saw hijackers fly planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, with another crashing in Pennsylvania, remain a deeply traumatic event for those who lost loved ones. The US government has characterized the events as the most egregious criminal act on American soil in modern history.

Tom Resta, whose brother John and sister-in-law Sylvia were killed in the World Trade Center's north tower, has attended pre-trial proceedings at Guantanamo Bay multiple times. He described the process as "laborious and tedious," noting that the proceedings have been overseen by five different military judges.

Many relatives fear that the prolonged legal process means they may not live to see a conviction. Resta noted that his father, who will be 98, does not expect to witness the trial, a sentiment echoed by other family members who worry about their own longevity.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, often referred to as KSM, has been held at the military prison in Guantanamo Bay for two decades without a conviction. The high-security courtroom requires victims' relatives to enter a lottery to attend, and they are separated from the defendants by thick glass.

Stephan Gerhardt, who lost his younger brother Ralph in the attacks, has also made multiple trips to Guantanamo. He stated that seeing convictions for his brother's death is important, but he wishes to focus on cherished memories rather than the ongoing legal proceedings.

The lengthy pre-trial phase has been marked by numerous delays, raising concerns about the eventual outcome and the emotional toll on the victims' families. The trial date, set for 2028, offers a potential endpoint, but many remain apprehensive about further postponements.

As the 25th anniversary approaches, the enduring agony of 9/11 continues to affect bereaved families, who grapple with the slow pace of justice and the passage of time.