U.S. INTERESTS SECTION COMMEMORATES 9/11 ANNIVERSARY WITH REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY
On Friday, September 11th, 2009, the U.S. Interests Section (USINT) held a ceremony to honor victims of the 9/11 tragedy. The short but moving ceremony commenced at 8:30 a.m. and included a minute of silence at 8:46 a.m., exactly the same time that, eight years ago, the first of two hijacked planes struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Shortly after, a second plane struck the South Tower, and both buildings were destroyed. A third hijacked plane struck the Pentagon in Washington, DC, while a fourth plane crashed in open countryside in Pennsylvania, killing all aboard. Nearly 3,000 innocent people lost their lives in the attacks.
The ceremony was led by Charge' James "Buddy" Williams, who paid tribute to all those who had been affected by the worst terrorist attack in the history of United States. Mr. Williams read from a statement by U.S. President Barack Obama which honored the lives lost and reaffirmed American commitment to our founding principles and the ideals that united Americans in the aftermath of the attacks.
Similar ceremonies were hosted throughout the United States and at U.S. embassies around the world. September 11 has been recognized as Patriot Day since 2001, and in April 2009 was officially designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.