Washington — President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend a ceremony at the Pentagon on Friday, marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The event will honor the nearly 3,000 Americans who lost their lives when al‑Qaida militants hijacked four planes and struck the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.
Second consecutive year at the Pentagon
This is the second year in a row that President Trump will observe the day at the Pentagon. He previously attended the ground‑zero ceremony there in 2024, reinforcing the administration’s focus on remembering the nation’s greatest tragedy while highlighting the progress made in national security since 2001.
Family‑friendly observances across the country
Vice President JD Vance will travel to New York for the main observance, joining former presidents and other dignitaries. Additional administration officials are slated to attend a ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the site of United Flight 93. Vance had originally planned to be in New York for the 2025 anniversary but instead flew to Salt Lake City to support the family of conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his tragic death.
Trump’s remarks and the Steel Across America tour
During last year’s Pentagon ceremony, President Trump delivered remarks that included excerpts from passengers’ final words aboard the hijacked aircraft. This year, he will again emphasize the day’s historic significance, noting that the attacks “divide time into what came before and what came after.” A massive 21‑foot steel beam recovered from the South Tower will be displayed at a nearby event on the Ellipse, part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Steel Across America tour. The beam, weighing nearly 17,000 pounds, will travel to New York for a procession honoring fallen firefighter Stephen Siller.
Proclamation of Patriot Day 2026
On Wednesday, President Trump issued a proclamation designating Friday as “Patriot Day 2026.” The document recounts the chronology of September 11, 2001, describing it as the day “the peace of our Nation was shattered.” It also declares the administration’s “unwavering commitment to ensure that our Nation is defended by the strongest and most lethal military the world has ever known.”
National‑level commemoration
The Republican midterms convention on Thursday night featured families of victims and firefighters onstage in Dallas, with the hymn “Ave Maria” performed as a tribute. Names of the victims were displayed on a screen and a bell rang to honor the fallen first responders.
What this means for the country
President Trump’s participation underscores the administration’s dedication to preserving the memory of those who perished while reinforcing a robust defense posture. By linking the remembrance of 9/11 to current national‑security priorities, the administration signals that the lessons of the past continue to shape policy decisions aimed at protecting American families and preserving liberty.
Local communities across the nation are also planning their own memorials and service projects, reflecting the shared resolve to honor the victims and support the families left behind.
Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.
