Twenty-five years ago this month, beneath a clear September sky, the peace of the United States was shattered when radical Islamic terrorists hijacked four commercial jet planes and converted them into weapons of mass murder.
At 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 was deliberately flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Shadowing closely behind was United Airlines Flight 175 and within a span of 17 minutes, the South Tower was struck. At that moment, it became clear that our nation was under attack, said President Trump in a White House proclamation. Before the morning had passed, both soaring towers had collapsed into the city below, claiming thousands of innocent lives and leaving behind unfathomable destruction.
Just 34 minutes later, at the edge of the nation’s capital in Arlington, Virginia, American Airlines Flight 77 was flown into the Pentagon, striking down members of U.S. Armed Forces and civil servants. Amid smoke and flames, survivors turned back into the burning building to carry survivors to safety.
But the horror of that morning was not over. Aboard United Airlines Flight 93, passengers learned that their plane was being used as a weapon, and they resolved to fight back. Among them was Todd Beamer, a devoted husband, father, and man of deep faith, who calmly led his fellow passengers in a recitation of the Lord’s Prayer before speaking his last, immortal words: “Are you ready? Okay. Let’s roll.” With those immortal words, the heroes of Flight 93 mounted a daring assault on the hijackers and forced the aircraft down in a field outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
On that fateful day, 2,977 innocent souls perished in the most despicable act of terror in the history of the United States. Yet amid the wreckage and carnage of that day, the world witnessed the courage, valor, and patriotism of America. Rescue workers, medical personnel, and thousands of volunteers answered the call, risking their own lives and giving everything they had to help fellow Americans.
In the days, months, and years that followed, thousands of American patriots stepped forward to wear the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. For nearly a quarter century, an entire generation of warriors served, fought, and sacrificed in defense of our freedom.
“I have no higher duty than to ensure the safety and well-being of the American People,” vowed President Trump.
“I will never hesitate to protect our country by enforcing a foreign policy of peace through strength, bringing swift justice to our enemies wherever they hide, and vigorously defending our national security interests at home and abroad.”
“Amid the ashes of Ground Zero,” said President Trump, “we made a solemn vow to Never Forget — a vow that must be renewed in every American heart, taught in every classroom, and honored in every community across our land.”