Reflecting on 9/11: A Nation Remembers, 22 Years Later
Americans Pay Tribute to 9/11 Victims with Moments of Silence and Calls for Remembrance.
Commemorating a Day That Still Lingers
Americans from all walks of life took time to reflect and remember as the nation marked the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. This solemn occasion was marked by heartfelt tributes and moments of silence from New York's World Trade Center to small towns and remote corners of the country.
"For those of us who lost people on that day, that day is still happening," said Edward Edelman, who lost his brother-in-law in the attacks. Everyone else has moved on. And you find a way to move forward, but that day never comes."
The Nationwide Impact of 9/11
On his way back from India and Vietnam, President Biden stopped in Anchorage, Alaska, to emphasize the impact of 9/11 on the entire country. This day, when hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field, reshaped both American foreign policy and domestic concerns.
"On that day, we were one country, one nation, one people, just like it should be," Eddie Ferguson, fire chief in Virginia's Goochland County, a rural area far from the attack sites, said. That was the feeling — that everyone came together and did what we could to help from where we were."
Honoring the Fallen in Unexpected Places
With its local 9/11 memorial and public anniversary commemorations, Goochland County demonstrated how, even in predominantly rural areas, the memory of 9/11 lives on. The county held events to honor first responders and all victims of that tragic day, far from the Pentagon and New York.
Solemn Remembrance at Ground Zero
Vice President Kamala Harris joined dignitaries at New York's National September 11 Memorial Plaza, where victims read aloud the names of the deceased and delivered personal messages. These messages ranged from patriotic declarations to calls for peace and justice, all while remembering the lives lost and the consequences of the post-9/11 "war on terror."
Presidential Commemoration in Alaska
The presence of President Biden in Alaska was a significant departure from previous commemorations. While his predecessors frequently visited the attack sites, Biden's trip to Alaska highlighted the tragedy's national scope. He became the first president to commemorate 9/11 in Alaska or anywhere in the western United States, reminding the nation of the day's lasting impact.
Remembering the Pentagon and Flight 93
First Lady Jill Biden laid a wreath at the Pentagon, which was draped in a massive American flag, and bells tolled in remembrance of the moment American Airlines Flight 77 crashed. Meanwhile, Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, attended a ceremony at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where passengers tried valiantly to stop the hijackers.
Passing Down the Memory
In reflecting on the importance of educating future generations about 9/11, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers emphasized the importance of sharing the stories of that day. Efforts like the National Park Service's educational video and virtual tour aim to keep the memory of 9/11 alive in the minds of today's youth.
A Day of Service and Remembrance
On Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance, Americans across the country volunteered. They took part in commemorative events at memorials, firehouses, city halls, campuses, and other locations, demonstrating the enduring spirit of unity and remembrance.
Commemorations Across the Heartland
Communities across America paid their respects to the 9/11 victims in their own unique ways. The nation stood together in remembrance, from a 21-mile march in Iowa to messages sent to emergency responders in Columbus, Indiana, and a moving display at Pepperdine University in Malibu.
A Holiday for Remembering
Monmouth County, which was deeply affected by the events of September 11, 2001, declared September 11 as a holiday for county employees. This significant decision allows county employees to take part in commemorations and emphasizes the importance of preserving 9/11's memory. By declaring September 11 as a holiday, Monmouth County demonstrates its commitment to preserving the legacy of that day and the lessons learned from the attacks for future generations.
Contributors: Julie Walker and Deepti Hajela in New York, Tara Copp in Washington, and Michael Rubinkam in Pennsylvania contributed to this report. (Originally published in the Los Angeles Times.)