Patriot Day – Honoring the Memory of Those Who Died on 9/11
When you hear the phrase “Patriot Day,” what comes to mind for you?
Some people may think first of Patriots Day, the movie. This 2016 film starred Mark Wahlberg and Peter Berg was the director. It’s the story of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 and its aftermath. Including the citywide manhunt to find the terrorists responsible.
Others might think of Patriots’ Day. It’s a formal state holiday in Massachusetts, Maine, Wisconsin and Connecticut. It occurs on the third Monday in April each year. It commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord – the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.
Patriots’ Day is celebrated most enthusiastically in Massachusetts. That’s where it coincides with the Boston Marathon and a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park.
From Proclamation to Resolution to Law
But Patriot Day (not Patriots’) occurs annually on September 11 to honor those killed in the terrorist attacks of 2001. The first official Patriot Day was commemorated on September 11, 2002.
Originally, President George W. Bush proclaimed September 14, 2001 as a “National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001.”
The following month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to make September 11 a national day of mourning. In November, the bill passed the Senate.
In December 2001, Bush signed this resolution into law. The following year, he used the authority of the resolution to proclaim September 11, 2002 as the first “Patriot Day.”
Prayer, Service and Remembrance
From 2009 to 2016, President Barack Obama proclaimed September 11 as “Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.” This was in observance of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
In 2017, President Donald Trump changed it up a little. He proclaimed September 8-10 as “National Days of Prayer and Remembrance,” and proclaimed September 11 as “Patriot Day.”
Patriot Day is not a federal holiday. Schools and businesses are open in observance of the occasion.
Half-Staff Flags, Moments of Silence
Certain commemorative rites are performed on Patriot Day each year, with rules in place to ensure uniformity. For example, memorial ceremonies are held for the 9/11 victims in different places.
Service opportunities in a number of communities are coordinated by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
U.S. flags are flown at half-staff at the White House and all government buildings and establishments around the world. Americans are also encouraged to fly U.S. flags at their homes.
A moment of silence is observed beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern time. That was the time American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Recalling the Shock, Grief and Anger
Most of us remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we learned about the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Seventeen years later, those memories are still fresh in many of our minds. Our emotions rode a wave of astonishment that turned to grief, which evolved into anger.
We were stunned that anyone could commit such a horrendous act of hatred. And we were determined to ensure that the animals responsible for planning the attack be brought to justice.
Taking Time to Reflect
Now, we want to make sure nothing like this ever occurs again. And we want to remember the victims from that fateful day.
Today we should all take a moment to reflect on what happened. Our thoughts and prayers should be with the families of those victims.
And we should look for ways to serve those less fortunate than ourselves.
That’s what Patriot Day is all about.
A month before the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Tower building a news release warned of a coming attack by Obama Bin Laden was Emmet. I was not surprised , yet I was shocked on the day we weretattacked us
We always fly a large flag in our front yard, unfortunately we have had to take it down due to
deadly hurricane eminently threatening us. It goes back up as soon as threats are over.
Lets also pray for the people responsible for the deaths and injuries and life health issues many sustained on 911. I believe it was in part our own country leaders at that time , not just terrorist. May God help them all ! I ask for forgiveness for all involved, its the right thing to do. We all know a higher evil power is behind all evil things and folks it is not… Gods fault…its his adversary fault you know from the beginning there was war in Heaven created by the Devil. Read on…The good book : the BIBLE. GOD BLESS US ALL.
God bless all who were affected by
September 11, 2001 !! We will never forget ! Prayers for all !! God bless America !!! ♥️ 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you for those wonderful sentiments, Kaye.
If you look at the facts, this was no terrorist Attack. Just watch the first day live news cast and see everything that was scrubbed and never repeated. One example. 30 year veteran was outside the pentagon and said it was a missile not a plane. There is so much more. Will you look or turn off your mind. This was the first fake news
This is indeed a day of remembrance. We fly our American flag as well as a Patriot Day flag. Thank you for your good message for this day too. God bless you all and your families. Dianna and Don Morrow
This is indeed a day of remembrance. We fly our American flag as well as a Patriot Day flag. Thank you for your good message for this day too. God bless you all and your families. Dianna and Don Morrow
Yes, and caring for others – the helpless, the needy, the bullied, the less fortunate, etc – gives the caregiver joy within. Now retired, I have enjoyed those all my life as a prof. nurse!
I was on the east coast visiting a friend when this happened, all airports were closed, but reopened the day before I flew home. That flight home was eerily quiet, no one said a word…
We will NEVER forget…
I truly agree, but in some respects it is very hard. I being a Black Ops Vietnam veteran was treated terribly and because I fought to protect every citizens rights in this Gr8 Country. I volunteered and was not drafted, because I thought our heritage was worth it. All that died and saved lives during 9/11 are hero’s also and should be acknowledged as such. However 9/11 was a tragedy caused because our government did not listen to and were not aware enough of what was going on around them. Therefore in my mind eye they have to be treated differently or you take away from what we Veterans did everyday.
I distinctly remember I was casing mail in the order of my postal route. I was shocked and grieved over hearing the news. I was also very sad for those who lost their lives that morning and for their families. This catastrophic event totally changed America. It has never been the same since. More than ever, we must stand up and defend our freedom if we are to survive. My prayers go out to all the families who lost loved ones on that tragic day.
A job well done and the words used will always
be remembered. Prayers are one thing that is
always necessary to say for all who lost their lives
that day, God Bless all the people that really care
and always remember 9-11.
I am a firm Patriot and Defender of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Unfortunately my moral compass will not tolerate me acknowledging a False Flag Deep State Operation. As both an Engineer and Aviator the Fake Media fed us another bunch of lies. I fully acknowledge the tragedy and lose of innocence lifes. It is time our great President Mr. Trump release the true honest facts to the American people. Face it is Americans can now accept the unbiased facts that the New World Order elitists proprogated this tragedy on its own people. I will pay both my respect & homage to those affected once this crime against US Citizens is acknowledged and known by all.
I woke up to get ready for work that day.. it turned out to be the saddest day ever . To this day I cry every 9/11. God bless and keep all the people who had to live though such tragedy!
IT IS MANDATORY THAT ALL PERSONS WHO REFER TO THEMSELVES AS PATRIOTS BE INFORMED THAT 9/11 WAS AN INSIDE JOB AND WAS AN AGENDA OF THE CIA, MOSSAD, AND POWERED ELITES!! THIS IS FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH!!!