Monday, September 11, is Patriot Day, the National Day of Service and Remembrance, honoring the memory of those killed in the attacks of September 11, 2001.
On this, the 22nd anniversary of that day, we remember the deaths of nearly 3,000 people in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, DC, in the field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the heroic first responders who lost their lives trying to save others.
At the same time, we engage in charitable services as a tribute to the victims, survivors, and those who rose up in response to the attacks, demonstrating the power of volunteer service as a way to honor and remember tragedy and triumph. We bring people together in new ways to build stronger, more resilient communities and celebrate our diversity.
We will always honor and remember every life that was lost on 9/11, and those who helped rebuild.
We will remember again this year by flying the flag at half-staff and observing a country-wide moment of silence beginning at 7:46 am (CST), the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Patriot Day began in 2002 as the 9/11 community – family members, support groups, and nonprofits – looked for ways to honor those whose lives were lost during the terrible attacks while revitalizing the spirit of unity and compassion that swept our nation after 9/11. Because of their efforts, the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance was established into law by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act in 2009.
Take a moment on Monday, Patriot Day, to consider what we stand for as a nation and how we can work together to make the world a more peaceful and better place for all.