Governor Dan McKee and Lt. Governor Sabina Matos are calling on Rhode Islanders to remember the victims and honor the heroes of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks as the nation marks the 23rd anniversary of that tragic day.
In a joint statement, McKee and Matos emphasized the importance of honoring those lost and supporting their families, while also recognizing the courage of first responders and others who protected the country in the aftermath.
“September 11th will always be a day of grieving for those lost to a horrific act of terrorism and a time to give our unwavering support to their families and loved ones,” the statement reads. “It is also a moment for us to honor the selfless American heroes who responded to the tragedy and those who continued to protect our country.”
The governor and lieutenant governor acknowledged the profound debt of gratitude owed to those who risked their lives on 9/11 and in its wake, stating, “We owe these men and women a debt of gratitude that can truly never be repaid.”
Nine Rhode Islanders were among the nearly 3,000 people killed in the coordinated terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The attacks targeted the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and resulted in the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania after passengers heroically fought back against the hijackers.
McKee and Matos offered a poignant tribute to those Rhode Island victims: “As for the nine Rhode Islanders killed in this tragic moment in our nation’s history, we remember all that you were, and all that you could have been. You will never be forgotten.”
To mark the solemn occasion, Gov. McKee has ordered U.S. and Rhode Island flags to be flown at half-staff at all state facilities and buildings on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. He is also encouraging Rhode Island residents and businesses to lower their flags as a sign of respect.
The 9/11 anniversary has become a day of national reflection, with memorial services and events held across the country. In New York City, the annual ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum includes the reading of victims’ names and moments of silence to mark key events of that day.
Similar observances are held at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pa., where Flight 93 crashed. These ceremonies often feature remarks from political leaders, performances of patriotic music, and the participation of victims’ families and first responders.
