WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, President Donald Trump and the First Lady made a visit to the Pentagon memorial where 184 people were killed in that attack.
184 bell rings for the 184 lives lost at the Pentagon on September 11.
“Islamist terrorists massacred nearly three-thousand innocent American lives in New York City, Shanksville, Pennsylvania and right here at the Pentagon,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
In a moving memorial service, top military officials detailed the tragedy.
“At 9:37am just moments ago, an American Airlines flight ripped through the walls of the Pentagon where our flag on the side of the building now hangs and this ground that we stand upon became hallowed,” said Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
President Trump began his remarks by honoring Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was assassinated at a Utah rally on Wednesday.
“I’m pleased to announce that I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk posthumously the presidential medal of freedom,” said the President.
The President talked about the horrors of 9/11 but also the courage of many Americans on that day. “Our country came face to face with pure evil,” said the President. “The American heroic spirit was all around us. We saw it in the police officers, the great fire fighters, the servicemembers here at the Pentagon.”
In this service, and in the other services honoring the victims, officials said this anniversary is a time for reflection.
“September 11th reminds us that even in the darkest of times, American strength endures,” said Gen. Caine.
