Anniversary of September 11 Attacks: Tributes and New Memorials for Victims

Americans are holding tribute events, volunteer programs, and new memorials to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Two attacks over the past year have shown that the threat of terrorist attacks in New York, America's largest city, still exists. On Tuesday, September 11, a ceremony was held at the World Trade Center with thousands of family members of victims, survivors, and rescuers in attendance. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence participated in other ceremonies at the sites of two other terrorist attacks. Trump and his wife Melania attended a tribute to the victims at the 'Tower of Voices' memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. During the 17th anniversary ceremony of the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, Trump stated that the nation shares in the grief of families who lost loved ones in this incident. He expressed, 'We are all saddened by the loss of mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, taken from us in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and here in Pennsylvania.' Trump added, 'We are proud of their sacrifice through their commitment to never surrender to evil and to do everything to keep America safe.' The New York-born president warned radical and terrorist groups last year during the memorial for September 11 victims that 'America cannot be intimidated.' Approximately three thousand people were killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks on U.S. soil. Seventeen years later, these attacks continue to influence U.S. government policies, the political atmosphere, and daily life, particularly in airports and public buildings. Last year, during Halloween celebrations, a truck ran over people in a bike lane near the World Trade Center, killing eight. In December, authorities reported that an individual intended to carry out a suicide bombing at a subway station using a homemade bomb. Officials stated that the suspects in both attacks were inspired by a group known as the 'Islamic Caliphate.' The memorial ceremonies for the September 11 attacks are held annually to honor the victims and their families, with messages read from families. After the ceremonies, two massive beams of light are projected into the sky from the Manhattan area of New York City. Efforts have long been made to separate this ceremony from politics. A group called 'Day 9.11' organizes volunteer programs for this occasion and requests that participants refrain from political advertising. Organizers of the annual program in New York allow politicians to attend the ceremony, but since 2011, reading the names of victims or giving speeches for them has been prohibited. Additionally, more memorials for the September 11 attacks have been built or are under construction. The 'Tower of Voices' memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, will soon be enhanced with 40 wind chimes to commemorate the 40 victims at that site. Soon, construction will begin on a walkway at the World Trade Center to honor the workers of relief organizations who have fallen ill or died due to illnesses caused by the collapse of the World Trade Center towers.