It’s been 22 years since our nation promised to “never forget” the 2,996 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001.
Families who lost loved ones on 9-11 came together today at the World Trade Center Memorial in Lower Manhattan. During the ceremony, names of the nearly three-thousand victims killed are being read out loud along with tolling of bells and moments of silence.
President Biden is taking heat from some families of 9/11 victims for departing from tradition and becoming the first U.S. president in 22 years to neither spend the day at an attack site nor the White House. George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama each marked the anniversary on the White House lawn. Obama followed one of those observances by recognizing the military with a visit to Fort Meade in Maryland.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin marked the 22nd anniversary of the attack during a ceremony in Arlington, Virginia. Austin said September 11th reminds us the American spirit still shines “in times of testing.” He recounted how many Americans felt a deeper sense of duty to their communities and the nation following the attack. The attack killed 125 people inside the building and all 64 passengers onboard the hijacked airplane that crashed into the building.
Meanwhile, Vice President Harris will attend a ceremony at the 9-11 Memorial and Museum in New York City and the Second Gentleman will participate in a memorial service in Shanksville, Pennsylvania for the victims of United 93.
Other communities across the country pay tribute with moments of silence, tolling bells, candlelight vigils and other activities. In Columbus, Indiana, 911 dispatchers broadcast a remembrance message to police, fire and EMS radios throughout the 50,000-person city, which also holds a public memorial ceremony.
Recently, President Biden rejected certain conditions sought by five suspected 9/11 plotters, including the accused mastermind behind the attack, in exchange for guilty pleas. A spokesperson for the National Security Council said Wednesday that Biden did not agree with the guarantees asked by the detainees — such as sparing them solitary confinement and providing medical treatment for alleged abuses in CIA custody.
However, sparing them the death penalty was still on the table.