United States Leaders commemorate 9/11 at a Pentagon ceremony
The President of the United States attended a solemn gathering at the Pentagon on Sunday to mark the 21st anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The ceremony took place at the Department of Defense headquarters, a site long associated with national remembrance for the events of 2001.
The president was joined by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and General Mark A. Milley, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, as floral tributes and formal remarks honored the lives lost and the first responders who faced danger that day.
Speaking to attendees, the president recalled the morning when smoke filled the skies and sirens pierced the air, noting that America’s history was irrevocably changed. Yet the core values that shape the nation remained intact. He described the character of the United States as defined by sacrifice, generosity, resilience, and steadfast resolve, underscoring the unity shown by civilians, police, and firefighters who acted in the critical days after the attacks.
The remarks highlighted the bravery of Flight 93 passengers, who confronted the threat and chose to sacrifice themselves to prevent further harm. Their actions, the president said, embodied the nation’s willingness to stand against terrorism and protect innocent lives.
In reflecting on the ongoing fight against those who threaten the country, the president affirmed a commitment to accountability and justice. He noted the decade-long pursuit of Osama bin Laden, the 2011 operation that brought him to justice, and the subsequent actions aimed at senior leaders of al-Qaeda. He stressed that the duty to remember and to respond to threats remains a core responsibility of American leadership.
The president reaffirmed that the United States will act decisively to defend the American people, a stance described as a perpetual obligation to safeguard the nation from future harm. The remarks referenced the broader effort to counter terrorism and the importance of coordinated national security measures in protecting the homeland.
First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff attended separate observances at other significant sites. Jill Biden visited Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at the Flight 93 Memorial, while Harris and Emhoff attended events at the World Trade Center site in New York City where victims’ names are read aloud to honor their memory.
Overall, the commemorations underscored a shared sense of mourning and resolve. The day served as a reminder of the lives lost and the ongoing commitment to safeguard national security and unity in the face of persistent threats. The ceremonies reflected a national pledge to remember those affected and to persevere with courage and compassion during challenging times. [citation needed]