This morning, President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump joined military leaders, families of the fallen and first responders at the Pentagon for a solemn observance of the terrorist attacks that changed America 24 years ago.
The ceremony opened with the reading of names of those lost, and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, took the podium to honor the fallen and reflect on the resilience shown by Americans on that fateful day. He recalled how Sept. 11 began as an ordinary morning but turned into one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s history.
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When President Trump addressed the crowd, he recounted the stories of ordinary Americans who displayed extraordinary heroism—firefighters, police officers, service members and civilians who rushed to save others. The president also paid tribute to families who carry the loss every day. Ultimately, it was his goal to remind citizens that with God, we will continue to rebuild our nation from shambles. “We will go forward as one people, one heart, one faith, one flag, and one glorious destiny under Almighty God.”
Trump also remarked on the assassination of Charlie Kirk that occurred yesterday, Sept. 10, 2025, noting that he will be granting him a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” Trump said. “I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk posthumously the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also gave remarks that connected the events of 2001 with the service of an entire generation of warriors in Afghanistan and Iraq. He described 9/11 as a personal turning point, when he was a college student. “From that day forward I felt an unshakable call to action,” he said. “An entire generation stepped forward willing to pay the ultimate price to secure our country.”
Hegseth pointed Americans toward Scripture from Romans 5. “We rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance. Endurance produces character. And character produces hope.”
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The Pentagon ceremony stood as a reminder that while the pain of Sept. 11 still echoes, the legacy of courage, sacrifice and faith continues to shape America. As leaders and citizens gathered in unity, the message is clear: even in the face of tragedy, America’s strength is found in remembrance, resilience and hope for the future.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.
