President, First Lady Lead White House 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
The somber ceremony marked the 16th year since the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
Shortly before 9:00 a.m. local time Monday, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump led a moment of silence outside the White House. The pair bowed their heads as three solemn bells tolled. Then, the president and his wife placed hands over hearts for the playing of Taps.
The remembrance ceremony marked the 16th year, nearly to the minute, since the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. On 9/11, two planes demolished the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York. Another plane flew into the Pentagon. A fourth hijacked plane was forced to crash in a Pennsylvania field, thanks to the bravery and heroism of its passengers. It had been headed for Washington, D.C.
Over all, nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks. It was the largest attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor in 1941, and the deadliest terror attack in world history.
As the Trumps led the White House ceremony, others paid tribute to the victims at Ground Zero in New York. Per tradition, loved ones took turns reading the names of people they lost that day.
Early Monday morning, a large American flag was draped over the side of the Pentagon at the impact point of the 9/11 attack. Trump and the first lady later participated in a ceremony at the Pentagon.
“The terrorists who attacked us thought they could incite fear and weaken our spirit,” Trump said at the Pentagon ceremony. “But America cannot be intimidated and those who try will join a long list of vanquished enemies who dared test our mettle.”
“For the families with us on this anniversary, we know that not a single day goes by when you don’t think about the loved one stolen from your life,” he went on. “Today, our entire nation grieves with you.”
Mid morning Monday, Vice President Mike Pence spoke at a remembrance ceremony in Shanksville, Pa., near where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field.
“I will always believe that I and many others in our nation’s capital were able to go home that day to hug our families because of the courage and selflessness of the heroes of Flight 93,” an emotional Pence said. “So for me it’s personal.” Pence was serving his first year as a U.S. Representative for Indiana in 2001.
Watch these short videos of the White House, Pentagon and Shanksville remembrance ceremonies. And may we never forget …
Pres. Trump, first lady Melania Trump lead moment of silence at the White House in remembrance of those lost on 9/11 https://t.co/dbm7nVSzc1 pic.twitter.com/be37geOXcN
— ABC News (@ABC) September 11, 2017
WATCH: President Trump and FLOTUS lead White House remembrance ceremony to remember those lost on #September11th https://t.co/LorWliju5G
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 11, 2017
Pres. Trump: "We honor every hero who keeps us safe and free and we pledge to work together, to fight together and to overcome together." pic.twitter.com/yYVI5CPg6N
— ABC News (@ABC) September 11, 2017
“I & many others in our nation's capital were able to go home…because of the courage & selflessness of heroes of Flight 93,” Pence says pic.twitter.com/AugA1sVoW3
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 11, 2017
