A day after renewing America’s war on terrorism, President Obama marked the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks Thursday by saying the country has prevailed over jihadis who “conspired to break us.”
“It has now been 13 years since the peace of an American morning was broken, 13 years since nearly 3,000 beautiful lives were taken from us,” Mr. Obama said at a ceremony at the Pentagon. “Thirteen years after small and hateful minds conspired to break us, America stands tall and America stands proud.”
The president noted that a new generation is growing up that was born since the terrorist attacks.
“Beginning tomorrow, there will be teenagers, young adults, who were born after 9/11. It’s remarkable,” the president said. “And while these young Americans did not know the horrors of that day, their lives have been shaped by all the day since — time that has brought us pain but also has taught us endurance and strength, a time of rebuilding, resilience and renewal.”
He added, “What gives us hope, what gives me hope, is that it is these young Americans who will shape all the days to come.”
Earlier, Mr. Obama and first lady Michelle Obama observed the anniversary with a moment of silence on the South Lawn of the White House.
The Obamas were joined by Vice President Joseph R. Biden and White House staff, heads bowed, to mark the moment at 8:46 a.m. when the first hijacked airliner struck the World Trade Center in New York City. The coordinated attacks by al Qaeda jihadis in New York, at the Pentagon and on a plane that crashed in Pennsylvania killed nearly 3,000.
Other memorials were taking place around the nation, including at Ground Zero in New York.
On Wednesday night, Mr. Obama renewed the war on terrorism by announcing an escalation of military strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.
The Republican National Committee said Thursday that the nation faces “new and emerging threats” from terrorists.
“We must maintain a strong defense to keep our country safe from those who want to destroy us,” said RNC Chair Reince Priebus and co-chair Sharon Day.
“On this anniversary we’re reminded of the resilience of the American spirit and the importance of the values we hold dear: freedom, equality, and opportunity. And we recommit ourselves to the defense of liberty and the pursuit of a more peaceful world.”
Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz said the anniversary should remind Americans that “what binds us together is far greater than what draws us apart.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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