This week, we mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and mourn the nearly 3,000 lives taken too soon. The people who perished in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and Shanksville – including the heroic first responders who gave their lives to help others – left behind loved ones and communities who were never again the same.
We honor their lives and their memory on this solemn occasion, and mourn what we all lost on that terrible day. We are grateful to our allies and partners around the world, especially Japan, who stood with us at our most difficult moment 20 years ago. Thank you for your support and friendship.