Donald J. Trump Forty-Fifth President
(2017 to 2021)
Remarks At 2019 Pentagon 9/11 Ceremony
The Pentagon / Arlington, VA. September 11, 2019
(Video courtesy of U.S. Department of Defense with editing by USA Patriotism!)
Text Version
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much, Secretary Esper. Today,
our nation honors and mourns the nearly 3,000 lives that were stolen
from us on September 11th, 2001. On these grounds, 184 people were
murdered when al Qaeda terrorists overtook American Airlines Flight
77 and crashed it into the Pentagon.
For every American who
lived through that day, the September 11th attack is seared into our
soul. It was a day filled with shock, horror, sorrow, and righteous
fury.
I vividly remember when I first heard the news. I was
sitting at home watching a major business television show early that
morning. Jack Welch, the legendary head of General Electric, was
about to be interviewed when all of a sudden they cut away. At
first, there were different reports: It was a boiler fire, but I
knew that boilers aren’t at the top of a building. It was a kitchen
explosion in Windows on the World. Nobody really knew what happened.
There was great confusion.
I was looking out of a window from
a building in Midtown Manhattan, directly at the World Trade Center,
when I saw a second plane, at a tremendous speed, go into the second
tower. It was then that I realized the world was going to change. I
was no longer going to be — and it could never, ever be — that
innocent place that I thought it was.
Soon after, I went down
to Ground Zero with men who worked for me to try to help in any
little way that we could. We were not alone. So many others were
scattered around trying to do the same. They were all trying to
help.
But for the families who join us, this is your
anniversary of personal and permanent loss. It’s the day that has
replayed in your memory a thousand times over. The last kiss. The
last phone call. The last time hearing those precious words, “I love
you.” Then the attack. The anguish of knowing your family member had
boarded one of these flights or was working in the World Trade
Center or serving right here at the Pentagon.
You waited, you
prayed, you answered that most dreaded call, and your life changed
forever. To each of you: The First Lady and I are united with you in
grief, we come here in the knowledge that we cannot erase the pain
or reverse the evil of that dark and wretched day, but we offer you
all that we have: our unwavering loyalty, our undying devotion, and
our eternal pledge that your loved ones will never, ever be
forgotten.
Eighteen years ago, the terrorists struck this
citadel of power and American strength. But the enemy soon learned
that they could not weaken the spirit of our people. In times of
distress, the heart of the American patriot only grows stronger and
more determined.
Even in the midst of the attack, the world
witnessed the awesome power of American defiance. Forty passengers
and crew on Flight 93 rose up, fought back, and thwarted the enemy’s
wicked plans. In their final moments, these American heroes
thunderously declared that we alone decide our fate.
We saw
American perseverance in the valiant New York firefighters, police
officers, first responders, military, and everyday citizens who
raced into the crashing towers to rescue innocent people.
One
such American was retired Army Colonel Rick Rescorla, who gave his
life on 9/11. Rick earned the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for
his service in Vietnam. He later became the Vice President for
Security at Morgan Stanley in the World Trade Center. On the day of
the attack, Rick died while leading countless others to safety. His
selfless actions saved approximately 2,700 lives.
Today, I am
honored to announce that I will soon be awarding the late Rick
Rescorla the Presidential Citizens Medal for his extraordinary
sacrifice. Though Rick has left this Earth, we will ensure that the
memory of his deeds will never, ever be forgotten. His memory will
forever endure. Thank you. Thank you, Rick. Thank you, Rick.
Thank you, Rick.
Here on the western side of the Pentagon, we
saw brave men and women rush into the fire and race into the
scorching flames to rescue their colleagues. When evil seeks to do
us harm, the incredible men and women of the United States military
answer with unyielding valor and unstoppable resolve.
Navy
Admiral David Thomas crawled through live wires and helped lift a
wall of debris to save the life of a colleague. As Admiral Thomas
remembers, “It was the worst day of my life, but the heroism and
selfless disregard I saw that [horrible] morning is forever burned
in my heart.” Admiral Thomas, America salutes you and every patriot
who defied evil that day. Thank you very much, Admiral. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Thank you very much.
Army Ranger
Chris Braman repeatedly went back inside the burning building,
rescuing one injured person after another. Before he entered, he
said a prayer and asked God to give him strength, and then he dove
into the suffocating smoke and fumes and flames. At the same time,
Sheila Moody had just prayed that someone would find her. Then, she
heard Chris’s voice. As Sheila says, God sent Chris as her guardian
angel.
To Sheila and Chris, America is strengthened by your
goodness and your grace and your bravery. Thank you very much. Thank
you. Thank you very much.
To fulfill our unbreakable
promise to every survivor and family of 9/11, earlier this year, we
fully reauthorized the Victims Compensation Fund to the tune of
billions and billions of dollars.
Since September 11th,
nearly 6 million young men and women have joined the United States
Armed Forces. They have crossed seas, climbed mountains, trekked
through deserts, and rushed into enemy compounds to face down the
threat of radical Islamic terrorism.
Nearly 7,000 service
members have laid down their lives to protect our home, our flag,
and our American way of life. American freedom survives only because
there are patriots willing to sacrifice everything in its defense.
No tribute is sufficient to convey the infinite depth of our
nation’s gratitude.
On this solemn day of remembrance, our
thoughts also turn to the 200,000 valiant soldiers, sailors, airmen,
Coast Guardsmen, and Marines who are now, at this very moment,
stationed overseas.
We do not seek conflict, but if anyone
dares to strike our land, we will respond with the full measure of
American power and the iron will of the American spirit. And that
spirit is unbreakable.
We had peace talks scheduled a few
days ago. I called them off when I learned that they had killed a
great American soldier from Puerto Rico and 11 other innocent
people. They thought they would use this attack to show strength.
But actually, what they showed is unrelenting weakness. The last
four days, we have hit our enemy harder than they have ever been hit
before, and that will continue.
And if, for any reason, they
come back to our country, we will go wherever they are and use power
the likes of which the United States has never used before. And I’m
not even talking about nuclear power. They will have never seen
anything like what will happen to them.
No enemy on Earth can
match the overwhelming strength, skill, and might of the American
Armed Forces. And we have rebuilt and strengthened the last two and
a half years, spending $700 billion, $716 billion, and now, just
approved, $738 billion — more money, by far, than ever spent on our
armed forces. You are the fearless sentinels who stand watch over
all that we cherish and everything we hold sacred, priceless, and
dear.
This morning, we also give thanks to the dedicated men
and women at the Department of Homeland Security. Their Department
was created after 9/11 to help secure our immigration system and
ensure that those who threaten our people are denied entry to our
shores. We’re indebted to every law enforcement official — state,
local, and federal — who devotes their life to keeping America safe.
As we gather at this moment, and at this incredible memorial, we
are reminded that there is no greater testament to our fallen heroes
than the presence of their families who knew and loved them so much.
Among the family members here today is Stephanie Dunn. Her
husband, Navy Commander Patrick Dunn, was one of the patriots who
gave his life, right here, 18 years ago. Before he left that
morning, Patrick gave Stephanie a big, beautiful kiss. Then, for the
first time, he leaned down and kissed her pregnant stomach.
Stephanie was just two months along with their first child. Earlier
this year, their daughter Allie celebrated her 17th birthday.
Allie grew up into a strong, truly remarkable young woman. She
mentors the children of our nation’s wounded warriors, and recently,
I was honored to give Allie the President’s Volunteer Service Award
for her hundreds of hours of community service. We are blessed to
have Allie here with us at today’s ceremony. Thank you, Allie. Thank
you. Thank you.
And, Allie, I know your dad is watching
over you. He’s right up there. He’s watching from Heaven, looking
down right now with love and pride. He is so proud of you. Thank you
very much. Incredible.
Also joining us is the Vigiano
family. For generations, the Vigiano family has served in our
military and in the New York City Fire and Police Departments. These
are two great departments. I grew up with them. I know. On September
11th, NYPD Detective Joseph Vigiano rushed into the World Trade
Center, and died rescuing his fellow citizens. His brother, John,
was a New York firefighter. He also gave his life that day at Ground
Zero.
At the time, Joseph’s three sons were just young boys,
ages eight, six, and three months old. This morning, they are with
us. The youngest, John, just started his freshman year of college at
SUNY Maritime College, and he plans to join the military. Joseph,
Jr. is a Marine reservist and, just like his father, he is a proud
member of the NYPD. And James is a corporal in the Marines. On his
last deployment, James was stationed on the USS New York, a ship
made using 24 tons of steel from the World Trade Center. Every time
he left the mess hall on his way to his bunk, he passed a picture of
his dad.
To John, Joseph, and James, and to the Vigiano
family, you have sacrificed beyond measure, and you will never, ever
stop giving back to this country. And thank you very much for being
here. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Very proud of
you. Thank you. Thank you very much.
The heroes present today
remind us of an immortal truth. The future of our nation is secured
through the vigilance of our people: The brave men and women who
tore through the gates of hell to save the hurt and the wounded. The
service members who honor the friends who perished by continuing
their exceptional life of service. The moms and dads who endure the
loss of their soulmates,
and fill their children’s lives with all of the adoration in the
world. The sons and daughters who suffered grave loss, and yet
through it all, persevere to care for our neighbors, defend our
homeland, and safeguard our nation. Each of your lives tells the
story of courage and character, virtue and valor, resilience and
resolve, loyalty and love.
This morning, we make a sacred vow
to carry on this noble legacy. Today and every day, we pledge to
honor our history, to treasure our liberty, to uplift our
communities, to live up to our values, to prove worthy of our
heroes, and above all, stronger than ever, to never, ever forget.
We are now, and will forever be, one American family united by
patriotism, bound by destiny, and sustained by the faith of Almighty
God.
Thank you. God bless you. God bless our military. And
God bless the United States of America.
