Annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony Honors Victims of the Deadliest Terror Attack on U.S. Soil
Lower Manhattan, NY – On Monday, September 11th, an annual ceremony was held to commemorate the lives lost in the tragic events of September 11, 2001. This year marked the 22nd anniversary since the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center collapsed in the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil. The ceremony took place in lower Manhattan and was streamed live by CBS News New York.
The memorial coverage began at 8:25 a.m. ET with the reading of the names of the nearly 3,000 individuals who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. These attacks involved the hijacking of four planes by attackers from the Al Qaeda terrorist group. Two planes were flown into the Twin Towers, one crashed into the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed in an open field in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back.
Even after more than two decades, the painstaking process of identifying the remains of those killed at the World Trade Center continues. Recent advancements in DNA technology have allowed for the identification of the remains of two victims just last week. Additionally, the devastating aftermath of the World Trade Center attack exposed hundreds of thousands of people in lower Manhattan to toxic air and debris, resulting in post-9/11 related illnesses and deaths.
The exact number of deaths related to post-9/11 illnesses is unknown, but it has been reported that 341 members of the FDNY have died from these illnesses, according to firefighter union leaders. The toll of that fateful day continues to impact both the physical and mental health of survivors and first responders.
The 9/11 attacks occurred at specific times on that tragic day. American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. ET. Shortly after, at 9:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower, causing both towers to collapse. At 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. Finally, at 10:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers and crew bravely fought back against the hijackers.
The attack on the Pentagon resulted in the deaths of 184 people, including 64 individuals who were on the plane and 125 people in the building. Witnesses and survivors of the attack at the Pentagon recall the shocking sight of the plane flying extremely low before crashing into the southwest corner of the building. A memorial observance was held at the Pentagon on Monday morning to honor those killed.
Less than 30 minutes after the attack on the Pentagon, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. The passengers and crew on board had bravely fought the hijackers, making the ultimate sacrifice to prevent the plane from reaching its intended destination in Washington, D.C. All individuals on board Flight 93 lost their lives in the crash, but their heroic actions saved countless others.
As the nation comes together to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, it serves as a reminder of the resilience and unity of the American people. The annual memorial ceremony provides an opportunity for reflection and remembrance, ensuring that the stories of those lost and the lessons learned from that tragic day will never be forgotten.