WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump paid tribute to the victims and heroes of the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at a memorial event near the White House, pledging that America would “never forget” one of the darkest days in its history.
Trump spoke at the Ellipse on Sept 8 during an event organised by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
The ceremony featured a massive steel beam recovered from the South Tower of the World Trade Center, serving as a powerful reminder of the destruction and resilience associated with 9/11.
Steel beam becomes symbol of resilience
A 21-foot steel beam weighing nearly 17,000 pounds was displayed during the event as part of the foundation’s Steel Across America tour.
The beam had travelled across the United States before arriving in Washington and will continue to New York, where it will take part in a procession retracing the final journey of firefighter Stephen Siller.
Trump said the battered piece of steel represented the enduring strength of the American people and their ability to withstand tragedy and terrorism.
Tribute to the heroes of Sept 11
During his speech, Trump paid particular tribute to two men who died during the attacks.
One was Jeffrey Palazzo, a New York City firefighter and Coast Guard reservist who responded to the World Trade Center.
Trump announced that the US Coast Guard would commission a new fast-response cutter in Palazzo’s honour.
He also recognised Welles Crowther, the volunteer firefighter and equities trader remembered as the “man in the red bandana” for helping others escape the South Tower.
Crowther was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the United States. His mother, Alison, and sister, Paige, accepted the award on his behalf.
Remembering the man in the red bandana
Crowther became one of the most widely remembered civilian heroes of the Sept 11 attacks.
The 24-year-old repeatedly helped people escape from the South Tower after it was struck, using his red bandana to protect himself from smoke as he moved through the damaged building.
He ultimately died when the tower collapsed.
His actions later became a symbol of courage and selflessness, with survivors describing a man wearing a red bandana who repeatedly returned to danger to help others reach safety.
First responders attend the ceremony
About 150 first responders from New York, Washington and Pennsylvania attended the memorial event.
Members of Trump’s Cabinet and Congress were also present.
Frank Siller, chairman and chief executive of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, said the steel beam represented the courage shown by ordinary Americans and first responders who risked or lost their lives on Sept 11.
The foundation was established in honour of his brother, New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who was killed while responding to the attacks.
Trump remembers the scale of the tragedy
Trump described the Sept 11 attacks as one of the defining moments in American history.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed when hijacked aircraft struck the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon and crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back against the hijackers.
The attacks changed US foreign policy, security and the lives of millions of Americans.
Trump said the events of that day remain permanently etched in the nation’s collective memory.
Week of commemorations begins
The White House event marked the beginning of a series of commemorations leading up to the 25th anniversary of the attacks on Sept 11.
The travelling steel beam will return to New York for a special procession, while memorial ceremonies are also planned in other locations connected to the attacks.
Trump is scheduled to attend a remembrance ceremony at the Pentagon on the anniversary.
The bottom line
President Donald Trump honoured the victims, first responders and heroes of the Sept 11 attacks during a memorial event at the Ellipse near the White House, vowing that America would never forget.
The ceremony featured a massive steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center and included tributes to firefighters and civilians who sacrificed their lives to save others.
Trump also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther, the “man in the red bandana.”
As the United States prepares to mark 25 years since the attacks, the memorial event served as a reminder of both the immense loss of Sept 11 and the acts of courage that emerged from one of the nation’s darkest days.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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