September 11, 2001, is a day that will live in perpetuity.
Forever to be remembered as a tragic day, 9/11, when hijacked planes claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people and had a profound impact on families and communities across the world.
On September 11, 2001, a group of Islamist terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes. Two of the planes were deliberately flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. Another plane was targeted at the Pentagon. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a rural field in Pennsylvania after a group of heroic passengers attempted to regain control of the aircraft from the hijackers.
Each man, woman, and child who died on 9/11 had a name, a history, and a life that was extinguished by another’s hate. But by our love and remembrance, they will never be forgotten.
While politics may have divided many last night, watching former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential candidate debate, the anniversary of 9/11 brings us all to Ground Zero.
If history has taught us anything, it is that people are capable of putting their differences aside for something greater than themselves. At the end of the day, we all bleed red; we each know the pain of loss and pray for strength, faith, and hope to carry us forward.
The 23rd anniversary ceremony at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2024, began at 8:30 a.m. ET, and brought together former President Donald Trump, Sen. JD Vance, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The service involved reciting the victims’ names and observing moments of silence during the time of each target’s strike. The fire and police departments of New York City, along with Port Authority honor guards, joined in a procession accompanied by bagpipes and drums. The national anthem was also performed.
The night before, Trump and Harris debated, but Wednesday morning, they stood in allegiance at Ground Zero in Manhattan with their hands over their hearts, focusing on something greater than rivals and agendas.