WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Joe Biden said he remembers the lives stolen from us on September 11, 2001. In a memorial ceremony at the Pentagon, he adds they’ll continue to protect and defend America from terrorists.
In a somber and rainy memorial ceremony, officials read the names of the 184 people who died at the Pentagon from the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks. To pay tribute to those who lost their lives, an American flag was unfurled at the site where the jetliner crashed into the pentagon and families could visit the stone memorial benches. Each bench has a name of someone who died at the Pentagon attack that day.
“Every night 184 lights come on lighting up each bench,” said Sec. Of Defense Lloyd Austin. “Those lights remind us even on our darkest days, the American spirit still shines.”
The Defense Secretary, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and President Biden touched on the heroic acts from everyday Americans following the attack.
“Civilians and servicemembers, leaping into action as the walls collapsed and the roof began to crumble,” said Biden.
Biden also discussed the effort the U.S. has played in going after those responsible.
“It took ten years to hunt down and kill Osama Bin Laden, but we did it,” said Biden. “And this summer, I authorized a successful strike on Ayman al-Zawahri, the man who Bin Laden was his deputy in 9/11 and a leader of Al Qaeda. We will not rest. We will never give up.”
Biden said it’s not enough to gather and remember 9/11.
“This day is not about the past, it’s about the future,” said Biden. “We have an obligation and a duty to protect, preserve and defend democracy. The very democracy that guarantees freedom that those terrorists on 9/11 sought to bury in the burning fire, smoke and ash.”
