Veterans Day began Wednesday with a solemn ceremony at Ground Zero, honoring those who served and remembering the lives lost in the Sept. 11 attacks.
Admiral Karl Thomas described the site as the “birthplace of the modern veterans calling” during the 25 years since hijackers carried out the deadliest terror attack on US soil, killing 2,977 people.
“The towers fell. The Pentagon burned. A quiet field in Pennsylvania became a battleground. The world held its breath in the moment of shock. Our enemies expected America to cower. They expected us to retreat inward. And they wanted us to break. But they were wrong,” Thomas, commander of US Fleet Forces, said during the ceremony.
“Instead of fear, they found iron. A generation of young Americans looked at the smoke and the rubble, they watched the footage over and over and then they walked out of the comfort of their lives and into military recruiting offices around our nation. They raised their right hands knowing exactly what was coming,” he continued.
“September 11 was a day of profound tragedy. We will never forget the innocent lives stolen. But it was also an anvil. It was the anvil upon which a brand new generation of American resolve was forged.”
The annual gathering also honored 9/11 victims who had served in the US armed forces before the attacks. Ahead of the morning ceremony, volunteers placed yellow roses beside their names carved into the memorial.
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A wreath was placed at the reflecting pool as part of the tribute.
NASA astronaut, Navy veteran and this year’s Veterans Day parade grand marshal Suni Williams echoed the message that the tragedy strengthened the nation’s commitment to service.
“People are stronger, people are better, people are leading, people are creative and we are showing the world that we can come back even better. And that’s a large part because of our veterans — our military today — all over the world today showing what a great country we are,” Williams said.
Mayor Mamdani attended the ceremony alongside Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and pledged to support military veterans as they transition back to civilian life in New York City while carrying the burdens of their battlefield experiences.
“We will recommit ourselves to building a city that is worthy of their sacrifice. One where every veteran has a safe place to sleep. Every veteran can find a well-paying job, receive a good education and the medical care they need and live a life of dignity in New York City,” Mamdani said.
