On September 11, 2021, the nation marked the 23rd anniversary of the tragic events that unfolded on September 11, 2001. President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump all made plans to be in Pennsylvania to honor the lives lost on that fateful day.
One of the key locations for remembrance is the Flight 93 National Memorial in rural Somerset County, just over an hour from Pittsburgh. This memorial marks the spot where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed after passengers and crew bravely fought back against the hijackers who had taken control of the plane.
Flight 93 was one of four planes hijacked on September 11th. Two planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, while a third crashed into the Pentagon. The passengers and crew on Flight 93 are believed to have thwarted the hijackers’ plans to target the U.S. Capitol building.
Tragically, all 40 passengers and crew members onboard Flight 93 lost their lives that day. To commemorate their bravery and sacrifice, the Flight 93 National Memorial hosted a public event on the 23rd anniversary of the attacks.
The Moment of Remembrance began at 9:45 a.m. at the Memorial Plaza, where the names of the passengers and crew were read aloud accompanied by the ringing of bells. The public was encouraged to arrive early to allow time for parking and to walk to the site.
President Biden and Vice President Harris were scheduled to visit the Flight 93 National Memorial to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony later in the day. President Biden praised the heroes of Flight 93 for their courage and acknowledged the lives they saved through their actions. Before their visit to Pennsylvania, both Biden and Harris were set to attend a commemoration ceremony at ground zero in New York City.
Former President Trump also planned to visit the Flight 93 National Memorial on the anniversary of 9/11. Reports indicated that Trump would participate in a private wreath-laying ceremony and had plans to visit the 9/11 memorial and a fire station in New York City before arriving in Pennsylvania.
The wreath-laying ceremony in Pennsylvania was scheduled for 12:45 p.m., with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expected to be in attendance. Following the ceremony, President Biden and Vice President Harris were set to travel to Washington, D.C. for a similar ceremony at the Pentagon.
The events of September 11th, 2001, continue to hold a significant place in the collective memory of the nation. The bravery and sacrifice of those who lost their lives on that day are honored each year through ceremonies and memorials like those held at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania.
As the current and former leaders of the country come together to pay their respects and honor the memory of the victims, the nation reflects on the unity and resilience that emerged in the face of tragedy. The legacy of September 11th serves as a reminder of the strength and spirit of the American people in times of adversity.
