President Biden commemorates 9/11 anniversary with service members in Alaska

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President Biden commemorates 9/11 anniversary with service members in Alaska

U.S.Air Force
12 Sep 2023, 20 GMT+10

U.S. President Joe Biden meets service members after commemorating the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 during a remembrance ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 11, 2023. Biden highlighted continued commitment to defense of the nation and support to allies as an on-going tribute to the lives lost that day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julia Lebens)

Service members stand at attention as the honor guard crosses the stage to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 during a remembrance ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 11, 2023. JBER serves as a premier power projection platform, and the decision to recognize the 9/11 anniversary here highlights the transition from a military focus on the Middle East to one of competition in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific regions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Johnny Diaz)

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to more than 1,000 service members to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 during a remembrance ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 11, 2023. Biden highlighted continued commitment to defense of the nation and support to allies as an on-going tribute to the lives lost that day. Biden, returning from a summit in India and visit to Vietnam, chose to mark the anniversary at one of the nation's premier power-projection platforms and hub for the United States' commitment to free and independent Arctic and Indo-Pacific regions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Connaher)

President Joe Biden observed the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a remembrance ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 11, 2023.

More than 1,100 service members gathered in a hangar to engage with the president as he highlighted the continued commitment to defense of the nation and support to allies as an ongoing tribute to the lives lost during the terrorist attacks.

"We'll never forget, when faced with evil and an enemy that sought to tear us apart, what we endured," Biden said. "While every year we mark this hallowed day, it's never easy. To anyone here or across the country who's grieving a lost child, parent, spouse, sibling, friend or coworker. ....All those who still bear the wounds from that searing September morning, I know how hard it is on a day like this, bringing you back to that moment when you saw the news, or the moment you got that phone call, the moment you realized you'd never say again, 'see you later, mom,' or 'talk to you soon, son.' Think of everything your loved one might have done if they had a little more time. What would they have done?

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Amy Miller, 673d Medical Group aerospace medicine service functional manager, recounted how the events of 9/11 affected her.

"To me, that's the central lesson of Sept. 11 - not that we'll never again falter or face setbacks, it's that for all our flaws and disagreements, there's nothing that we cannot accomplish when we defend with our hearts, which make us unique in the world. Our democracy. Every generation has to fight to preserve it. That's why the terrorists targeted us in the first place - our freedom, our openness, our institutions - but they failed. And we must remain vigilant."

The president said today, service members can look across the country and around the world and see anger and fear in places they have been stationed before.

"It's more important than ever that we come together around the principle of American democracy, regardless of our political background," The president said. "We must not succumb to the poisonous politics of difference and division. We must never allow ourselves to be pulled apart by petty manufactured grievances. We must continue to stand united. We all have an obligation, a duty, a responsibility to defend, to preserve, to protect our democracy, and always remember American democracy depends, not on some of us but on all of us. American democracy depends on the habits of the heart, of 'we the people.'"

The Al Qaeda threat from Afghanistan and Pakistan has reached a historic low, Biden said, referencing a declassified memo from the intelligence community.

"While [we have made all this progress] over the last 22 years, the resolve of the American people has proved we never bow, never bend, we never yield," he said. "Our longest war is over, but our commitment to preventing another attack on the United States and our people and our allies will never, never rest. Never."

Army Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, 11th Airborne Division commanding general, echoed this sentiment.

"On this day we must commit to continue to honor them all, through our selfless service to our nation, and by taking care of the families of the fallen, we must energetically be ready to fight and win our nation's wars," he said. "I am proud to serve with all of you. You are America's best. For you had many choices and despite the hazard of our profession, you courageously chose to serve, and tell America, 'I've got your back.' I thank God for you all. May God bless you. God bless our great nation."

JBER serves as a premier power projection platform, and the decision to recognize the 9/11 anniversary here highlights the transition from a military focus on the Middle East to one of competition in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific Regions.

"As a nation, we have many obligations, but I've been saying for 30 years, we only have one truly sacred obligation - to prepare those we send into harm's way and care for them and their families when they return home," Biden said. "And when they do not return home. It's an obligation not based on party or politics, but on a promise that unites all Americans."

Source: U.S.Air Force