On Monday, President Joe Biden called upon Americans to come together and reject the divisive and polarizing aspects of politics, emphasizing the need to revive the sense of national unity that emerged following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, which occurred 22 years ago.
In his address to approximately 1,000 U.S. military personnel at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, President Biden remarked, “We shouldn’t have to wait for a national tragedy to remind us of the incredible power of our unity as a nation. This is the most genuine way we can honor the memory of those we lost on 9/11.”
President Biden’s gathering occurred in Alaska as he was returning from an extensive five-day excursion to India and Vietnam. This choice to host the event in Alaska, as opposed to the typical venues of Washington or New York, marked a departure from traditional presidential protocols.
Amid the 14-month countdown to the 2024 presidential election, President Biden’s address carried a political undertone. He expressed concern over what he termed as a “surge in animosity, extremism, and political turbulence” within the United States. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the nation is contending with its most substantial and prolonged increase in political violence since the 1970s.
“We must firmly reject the divisive politics that aim to divide us and sow discord among our citizens,” President Biden stressed, while fondly recalling his friendship with the late Vietnam war hero and Republican senator, John McCain. He highlighted McCain’s dedication to the nation, transcending party lines and personal interests, as a testament to the enduring importance of national unity, especially on this solemn occasion.
Vice President Harris and other distinguished officials stood in solidarity with the families of those who lost their loved ones at the 9/11 Memorial in New York, a sacred place that now occupies the very ground where the twin towers once stood.
Sybil Ramsaran, who tragically lost her daughter Sarah in the attacks, shared the ongoing pain in her heart, saying, “It’s been 22 years, but it still feels like yesterday.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, also paid his respects at the New York event.
Former President Donald Trump, the leading Republican candidate for the 2024 race, released a video reaffirming, “We will never, ever forget” the victims of the September 11 attacks.
In the nation’s capital, top U.S. military leaders gathered for their annual commemoration event at the Pentagon, while Jill Biden took part in a wreath-laying ceremony.
In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff laid a wreath at the memorial honoring United Flight 93.
The tragic events of September 11, 2001, prompted then-President George W. Bush to launch a “global war on terror,” which included a military campaign in Afghanistan to locate al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden remained elusive until 2011 when he was finally brought to justice in a U.S. raid on his compound in Pakistan, under the leadership of then-President Barack Obama.
The September 11 attacks remain the most devastating assault on U.S. soil since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, which claimed the lives of 2,400 people.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the solemn observance of the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 attacks served as a poignant reminder of the enduring need for unity in the face of adversity. President Biden’s call to reject divisive politics and embrace national unity, coupled with heartfelt tributes to the heroes and victims of that fateful day, echoed the sentiments of a nation that continues to heal and remember. As dignitaries and citizens gathered at memorials across the country, the indomitable spirit of resilience and solidarity prevailed, honoring the memory of those lost on that tragic day in 2001 and reaffirming the nation’s commitment to never forget.
