In this Associated Press file photo, a visitor pauses on the observation deck of the Flight 93 National Memorial Visitors Center in Shanksville.
(AP File Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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WILKES-BARRE — U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser Friday attended a ceremony with President Donald J. Trump at the Flight 93 National Memorial to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and remember the lives lost.
The Flight 93 National Memorial closed at sunset on Thursday and reopened Friday following the ceremony.
The ceremony — a “Moment of Remembrance” — began at 9:45 a.m. with the name of each passenger and crew member read aloud with the ringing of the Bells of Remembrance.
According to the Biden campaign, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, traveled to New York City Friday to attend the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s 19th anniversary commemoration ceremony.
In the afternoon, the Bidens traveled to Shanksville, to pay their respects to the victims of Flight 93.
Meuser released a statement to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He joined President Trump at the Flight 93 National Memorial to honor and remember the nearly 3000 lives lost:
“Nineteen years ago, America was attacked by terrorists who hoped to destroy our way of life.
“Ordinary citizens rose to the challenge, exhibiting countless acts of bravery to help others in New York City, Arlington, VA and Shanksville, PA.
“At the Flight 93 National Memorial, we remembered the heroes who sacrificed their own lives to save their fellow citizens.
“We will never forget their memory. In the days and years following 9/11, we all praised our police and firefighters, thanking them for their service and for putting their lives on the line.
“Many Americans wore NYPD and NYFD hats to show their support.
“We are not a perfect country, but we are still the greatest country on earth and it’s up to the citizens to keep it.
“Let’s pray that the motto of 9/11, ‘never forget’ reminds us that we all are in fact Americans first.”
Gov. Wolf orders
flags to half-staff
In remembrance of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and in honor of Patriot Day, Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered all United States and Commonwealth flags on the Capitol Complex and Commonwealth facilities throughout the state lowered to half-staff at sunrise Friday.
“On Patriot Day, we commemorate the lives lost during the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001,” said Gov. Wolf. “May their bravery and sacrifice remind us to value our communities and the bonds between every American, and to seek ways to serve one another.”
The United States Flag shall fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. The commonwealth flag has flown at half-staff since Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in honor of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic and should continue to fly at half-staff until further notice.
All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.