President Barack Obama joined the nation in remembering the almost 3,000 people who died in the September 11 attacks 15 years ago. “And yet you, the survivors and families of 9/11, your steadfast love and faithfulness has been an inspiration to me and to our entire country”.
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On Sunday, in what will be Obama’s last 9/11 memorial service as the nation’s president, Obama urged Americans not to let its enemies divide them. “But we do know – we fully know – what your loved one’s sacrifice means to our department and to our country, and what your resolve means to all of us as we come to work each day to continue the mission your fallen loved ones summon us to”.
The remembrance service held six moments of silence, in which the first one was observed at 8:46 am (1246 GMT), commemorating the when the first hijacked passenger jet hit the North Tower of the WorldTrade Center.
The attack on the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m., 15 years ago was motivated by barbarism and hate, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told the audience, calling it “An attack that rattled the world, shook this mighty building and took 184 lives from us here … as well as thousands more in NY and Pennsylvania”. That’s why we Americans will never give in to fear and it’s why this weekend we remember the true spirit of 9/11.
More events to pay tribute to 9/11 are set to take place throughout the day in NY, including a motorcycle ride through the city and a march of firefighters across the Brooklyn Bridge.
“We remember, and we will never forget the almost 3,000 lovely lives taken from us so cruelly”, Obama began his final September 11 anniversary memorial as President of the United States.
“An attack that rattled the world, that shook this mighty building, and that took 184 lives from us here at the Pentagon as well as thousands more in NY and Pennsylvania”, Carter said in his address.
There was indeed progress during the 15-year U.S. military campaign, climaxing with the death of bin Laden before the tenth anniversary of 9/11.
JOE QUINN: Looking back, it was hard to get through those weeks following 9/11, but an important part of me misses those days, because as a country, we were never more united, we were never more inspired.
“I will keep coming as long as I am walking and breathing”, Cava said, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the image of her sister.
With his second term dominated by the challenge of defeating the Islamic State and preventing “lone wolf” attacks on the homeland, Mr. Obama said the fight against extremists has changed since 2001.
A ceremony was also being held near the crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where a visitor center was opened a year ago to commemorate the 40 passengers and crew who were killed when the United Airlines flight came down. Upon leaving the Manhattan building a few hours later, the 69-year-old presidential candidate smiled and posed for a picture with a young girl. I am not alone in reflecting on that September morning.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican rival Donald Trump both were at the anniversary ceremony at the World Trade Centre.
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Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was killed almost a decade later by United States forces during a May 2011 raid at his Pakistani bunker. We can not give in to those who would divide us. “That we do not let others divide us”.
