‘We Will Never Forget’ – Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
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On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, current and former U.S. presidents gathered to honor the memory of those who lost their lives when hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field.
President Donald Trump led the ceremony at the Pentagon, while U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance participated in the World Trade Center memorial in New York City. All four living former presidents and their spouses were in attendance at the event.
A moment of silence was observed to recall the moment of the attacks, followed by the reading of approximately three thousand names of the victims.
On Friday evening, two beams of light illuminated the Manhattan skyline in a ‘Tribute in Light’ honoring the victims of 9/11.
Various other prominent sites across New York State were also lit up in blue.
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The ceremony at the World Trade Center featured former President George W. Bush, who was president during the attacks, alongside former presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton.
“Today, we renew the sacred vow we made 25 years ago in memory of those we lost. We will never, ever forget. This is why we continue to fight today,” Trump said.
He also linked the post-9/11 ‘war on terror’ to his current conflict with Iran, a war that significantly increased U.S. involvement in prolonged Middle East conflicts.
Addressing the inclusive crowd, Trump vowed that the Islamic Republic “will never acquire nuclear weapons.”
A memorial was also held in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the site where Flight 93 crashed after passengers courageously resisted the hijackers.
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Every September 11, bells ring at the precise moments when the four planes crashed and the Twin Towers collapsed.
After each of the six bells is rung, a short moment of silence is observed.
This year, a seventh bell was rung to honor the thousands who have since died from cancer and other illnesses related to the attacks.
According to U.S. health officials, the number of deaths caused by illnesses from dust and smoke inhaled during the towers’ collapse now exceeds three times the nearly 3,000 who perished in the initial attacks.
Image Source, Reuters
During the nearly four-hour-long reading of victims’ names at the Manhattan ceremony, a woman who lost her husband criticized Saudi Arabia sharply. She expressed frustration over the unfulfilled attempts by U.S. officials to hold Saudi Arabia accountable.
“Each year that passes, the memory of you grows stronger,” said Terry Strada, who lost her husband Tom Strada, during the globally broadcast event.
“But even after 25 years, we have not obtained justice for Saudi Arabia’s role in your murder. How is this possible?”
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The national president of 9/11 Families United, Strada’s remarks were met with sustained applause from the audience.
Most of the 9/11 attackers were Saudi nationals, and the plot was orchestrated by al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden, who was a scion of an influential Saudi family.
However, Saudi officials have consistently denied any involvement in the attacks. The 2004 commission report found no evidence that the Saudi government or senior officials provided institutional or financial support to al-Qaeda.
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Tributes were held worldwide, with various events commemorating the victims.
A formal ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace in London, attended by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and U.S. Ambassador Warren Stephenson.
In Toronto, Canada, the stock exchange held a memorial event honoring colleagues who died in the attacks.
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In Milan, firefighters from Italy and the United States participated in a formal stair-climbing ceremony up the 110 floors of the Galfa Tower to honor emergency responders who lost their lives in the line of duty during the attacks.
They wore their gear and carried necessary equipment while ascending the stairs, symbolically matching the number of floors of each Twin Tower.
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