[ad_1]
Six minutes of silence took place on Saturday to mark the era of the 9/11 attacks as President Joe Biden and other leaders honored the heroes and remembered those who tragically died 20 years ago during one of America’s darkest days.
Biden and First Lady Jill Biden joined a large crowd, including families of victims, at the National 9/11 Memorial, where the Twin Towers once stood, to observe the premiere at 8:46 a.m. ET.
It marked the moment when Al Qaeda terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 11 on the North Tower of New York’s World Trade Center two decades ago.
They were joined by former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton as well as several national and state leaders, members of the emergency services and large crowds.
Just 23 minutes later, a second minute of silence fell as American Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower.
After the two moments, family members read the names of those killed in the September 11 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Bruce Springsteen also performed “I’ll See You in My Dreams”.
Meanwhile, at the Pentagon, the first of a number of events began shortly before 7 a.m. ET. As the national anthem sounded, a flag was displayed on the side of the building, which was hit that day.
A third minute of silence took place at 9:37 a.m. ET, to remember those who lost their lives when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. Afterwards, a rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was performed for the crowd, followed by the reading of other names of those who died.
Download the NBC News app for the latest news and politics
At 9:59 a.m. ET, another moment of silence took place to mark the collapse of the South Tower. Another moment of silence took place at 10:28 a.m. when the nearby north tower collapsed.
In Shanksville, Pa., A minute of silence was observed at 10:03 a.m. ET for heroic passengers who battled terrorists aboard United Airlines Flight 93 and prevented the plane from reaching Washington.
Family members read the names of their loved ones as a bell rang.
Former President George W. Bush, who was reading a book to Florida school children when the planes struck, spoke in the rural town.
“Twenty years ago we all discovered in different ways, in different places, but all at the same time, that our lives would be changed forever. The world was loud with the carnage and sirens, then silent with missing voices that would never be heard again, ”he said. “These lives remain precious to our country and infinitely precious to many of you. Today we remember your loss, we share your grief, and we honor the men and women you have loved so long and so dearly. “
The former president went on to say that “the actions of an enemy have revealed the spirit of a people”.
“In these memories, the passengers and crew of Flight 93 must always have a place of honor. Here the intended targets have become the instruments of rescue and many who are now alive owe an immense and unconscious debt to the challenge displayed in the sky above this field, ”he said.
Vice President Kamala Harris delivered remarks at approximately 10:45 a.m.ET.
“Today we stand in solidarity with all those who lost someone on September 11, 2001 and in the aftermath of the attacks,” she said. “So much in our nation, too in our nation, have deeply felt the passage of time over the past 20 years. “
She continued, “We are gathered today on sacred ground, in this place which has been hallowed by sacrifice to honor the heroism that the 40 passengers and crew have shown in the face of serious terrorism.”
“The 40 passengers and crew on Flight 93, as we all know, didn’t know each other, most didn’t know each other. They were different people from different places,” Harris said. “But they didn’t focus on what might separate us.… Within minutes, under the most extreme circumstances, the 40 responded as one.”
On Friday, Biden appealed to the nation to recapture the spirit of cooperation that evolved in the days following September 11.
In a speech recorded by the White House, Biden spoke of a “real sense of national unity” that emerged after the attacks, adding that he saw “heroism everywhere – in places expected and unexpected” .
“For me, this is the central lesson of September 11,” he said. “Unity is our greatest strength. “
Biden arrived in New York City on Friday evening as the skyline was illuminated by the “Tribute to Light,” hauntingly marking where the towers once stood.
He is the fourth president to console the nation on the anniversary of that dark day, which shaped many of the most important domestic and foreign policy decisions made by business leaders over the past two decades. .
He will conclude official events by laying a wreath at the Pentagon later in the afternoon.
[ad_2]
Source link