Americans are reflecting on the horror and legacy of 9/11 as they gather to observe the 22nd anniversary of the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil. Commemorations are taking place at the attack sites in New York, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, as well as in Alaska and other locations across the country. President Joe Biden is attending a ceremony in Anchorage to pay tribute to the impact of 9/11, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives and had far-reaching effects on American foreign policy and domestic fears.
On that fateful day, people came together as one country to help in any way they could, regardless of their location. The fire-rescue chief in Virginia’s Goochland County, Eddie Ferguson, recalls the feeling of unity and solidarity. Although Goochland County is far from the attack sites, it has a local memorial incorporating steel from the World Trade Center that serves as a reminder of the connection felt by all Americans.
Communities across the country are paying tribute in different ways, such as moments of silence, tolling bells, and candlelight vigils. Small towns like Fenton, Missouri, and Columbus, Indiana, are honoring the victims with commemorative events and public memorials. In New Jersey’s Monmouth County, which lost some of its residents in the attacks, Sept. 11 has been declared a holiday for county employees to attend commemorations.
As a way of marking the anniversary, many Americans also engage in volunteer work on Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance. At Ground Zero, Vice President Kamala Harris will join the ceremony on the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum plaza, where victims’ relatives will read out the names of the deceased.
For James Giaccone, the commemoration is crucial. He attends the ceremony every year to hear his brother’s name, Joseph Giaccone, being read aloud. James believes that speaking their names keeps the memory of the victims alive and ensures that their sacrifice is never forgotten.
President Biden will be the first president to commemorate Sept. 11 in Alaska, highlighting the widespread impact of the attacks. Previous presidents have visited the attack sites or observed the anniversary at the White House lawn, with President Obama also recognizing the military with a visit to Fort Meade in Maryland.
As the nation reflects on 22 years since 9/11, it remains a day that changed history and serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience of the American people.
