Washington Examiner

Pentagon pays tribute to 9/11 victims.

The Department of ⁣Defense Commemorates the 22nd Anniversary‌ of‌ 9/11

The Department of Defense held a solemn‌ ceremony on Monday morning to mark the 22nd anniversary of the​ tragic 9/11 terror attacks. This day serves as a ​painful reminder of the devastating event that ⁤unfolded ⁣when American Airlines Flight 77‌ crashed into the ⁣southwest corner​ of⁢ the‌ Pentagon.

On that fateful‍ day, September ​11, 2001, the hijacker’s actions claimed ⁢the lives of 184 individuals, including ⁤those aboard‍ the ⁤plane ‌and many others within the⁤ damaged building.⁤ Although the side‍ of the Pentagon that was impacted ‍has been rebuilt, the tradition ⁤of ⁣unfurling ⁤a large American ⁤flag off the building’s side continues every year, reminiscent of the garrison⁤ flag displayed in the aftermath of the attacks.

Remembering the Fallen

During‌ the ceremony, ⁣Secretary⁣ of Defense Lloyd Austin delivered a heartfelt message,​ acknowledging the‌ difficulty of this day ⁤and the⁣ enduring pain it brings. He emphasized that the men and women of the Department of Defense will always remember the ‌events ⁤of September 11, ​2001,⁣ even as⁤ time ​passes and the ⁤world moves forward.

“Sept. 11 made ​America a nation at war. And ‌hundreds ⁣of thousands stepped ⁣up to serve our country in uniform. ​The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have‍ come to​ a close. But⁣ we remain relentlessly focused on combating ​terrorist threats ⁤to ​America,” Secretary Austin stated.

All ⁣184 names of the victims were read aloud during the ceremony, ensuring that each individual’s memory was honored ‌and cherished.

A Memorial of Remembrance

The Pentagon houses⁤ a dedicated memorial to honor those who lost their lives ⁤in the ​attack. The memorial features benches ‌dedicated to each victim, arranged according ⁣to⁣ their ages. Each bench ‍includes a small reflective pool that illuminates in the evenings, creating⁤ a⁤ serene atmosphere. The positioning of the benches distinguishes⁤ between the victims on the plane and those inside the building, paying⁤ tribute to their unique stories.

Continuing the Tribute

Later in the day, Secretary Austin‌ and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will join ​first⁢ lady⁤ Jill Biden in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National 9/11⁣ Pentagon Memorial⁤ in ​Arlington,⁤ Virginia.

While President ​Joe​ Biden, who is​ returning from an ‌overseas trip, will ⁣not be ⁤present in Washington to honor the anniversary, he ⁢will deliver remarks‌ in ‍Anchorage, Alaska. It’s important ⁢to note that previous presidents have ⁢also chosen not to attend the ceremony ⁤in New York,⁣ opting to visit other‍ 9/11 sites or‌ address the nation from the ‍White House lawn.

Today, as we remember the lives lost⁢ and⁢ the resilience ‌of our ‌nation, let us stand united in⁣ our commitment to combatting terrorism and ⁣ensuring that the memory of 9/11 remains etched in our hearts forever.


Read More From Original Article Here: Pentagon honors victims of 9/11 on anniversary

" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Related Articles

Sponsored Content
Back to top button
Available for Amazon Prime
Close

Adblock Detected

Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker