Newsman: The 20th anniversary of 9/11 marked by several events across the country, including the annual commemoration at the World Trade Center Memorial in downtown Manhattan. Six moments of silence were held Saturday to mark the times of the 9/11 attacks as President Joe Biden and other leaders honored the heroes and remembered those who tragically died 20 years ago on one of America’s darkest days. . Just 17 minutes later, a second moment of silence was held to mark the time when United Airlines Flight 175 hit the south tower. Biden arrived in New York on Friday night as the skyline was illuminated by the “Tribute in Light,” hauntingly marking where the towers once stood.
The families of victims of both the Sept. 11 attacks and the 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center concluded their annual reading of the names.
Bruce Springsteen also performed “I’ll See You in My Dreams.”
The ceremony concluded with a performance of “Taps.”At sundown, the annual “Tribute in Light” once again illuminated the sky in commemoration of the anniversary.
They were joined by former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton as well as several national and state leaders, members of the emergency services and large crowds
Biden and first lady Jill Biden joined a large crowd including victims’ families at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, where the twin towers once stood, to observe the first at 8:46 a.m. ET.
Biden also attended wreath-laying ceremony at Pentagon, holding hands in front of the wreath while a trumpeter played “Taps.” They were joined by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley.
The White House commemorated the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial, which honors the 184 people who perished in the attack on the military headquarters. The wreath-laying ceremony was Biden’s final scheduled event to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11, following visits to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and New York City.
Notably, President Joe Biden made an unannounced stop Saturday afternoon at the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department — the first to respond to the United Flight 93 crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 11, 2001.
The president spent nearly an hour taking photographs and speaking with over 100 first responders and their families.
After his visit, Biden spoke briefly with reporters, where he reflected on the importance of memorials, like the ones erected in Shanksville to commemorate the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
“These memorials are really important, but they’re also incredibly difficult for the people who were affected by them because it brings back that moment you got the phone call. It brings back that instant you got the news, no matter how many years go by,” he said.
Unprompted, Biden said he thought former President George W. Bush gave a “really good speech” Saturday about about who Americans are.
“The core of who we are is not divided,” Biden said.
When asked how the nation can get back to that state of unity, Biden said, “By being honest when I make a mistake. By being straightforward, telling people exactly what I want to do.”
The first of a number of events began at the Pentagon shortly before 7 a.m. ET. As the national anthem rang out, a flag was unfurled down the side of the building, which was hit that day.
A third moment of silence was held at 9:37 a.m. ET, to remember those who lost their lives when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. Afterward, a rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was performed for the crowd followed by more names of those who died being read.
More moments of silence were held to mark when the south tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m. ET and when the neighboring north tower crumbled to the ground at 10:28 a.m.EPT. 11, 202101:46
Outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a moment of silence was held at 10:03 a.m. ET for the heroic passengers who fought terrorists aboard United Airlines Flight 93 and prevented the plane from reaching Washington.
Family members read the names of their loved ones as a bell rang.
Former President George W. Bush, who was reading a book to Florida schoolchildren when the planes hit, gave a speech near the rural town.
“Twenty years ago, we all found in different ways, in different places, but all at the same moment, that our lives would be changed forever. The world was loud with carnage and sirens, and then quiet with missing voices that would never be heard again,” he said. “These lives remain precious to our country and infinitely precious to many of you. Today we remember your loss, we share your sorrow and we honor the men and women you have loved for so long and so well.”PT. 11, 202109:10
Bush went on to say the “actions of an enemy revealed the spirit of a people.”
“In these memories, the passengers and crew of Flight 93 must always have an honored place. Here the intended targets became the instruments of rescue, and many who are now alive owe a vast, unconscious debt to the defiance displayed in the skies above this field,” he said.
Former President Donald Trump also gave remarks while meeting with police officers in New York City.
“It’s a sad day. It’s a very sad day for a lot of reasons,” Trump said before referencing the U.S. withdrawing troops from Afghanistan to end a 20-year war. “And we just added to that reason last week. That should have never been allowed to happen. … Very disappointing.”
Trump then praised the work of the New York City Police Department before answering a few questions from officers and posing for pictures.
