Veterans’ Day kicked off with a solemn ceremony Wednesday morning at Ground Zero.
The hallowed ground served as the “birthplace of the modern veterans calling” in the 25 years since hijackers carried out the largest terror attack on US soil, claiming the lives of 2,977 victims, said Admiral Karl Thomas.
“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, the US Fleet Forces Commander, said at 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 ceremony paid special tribute to the 9/11 victims who had bravely served in the US armed forces before the terror attack — volunteers placed yellow roses into the carvings of their names at the memorial ahead of the morning ceremony.
A wreath was also laid at the reflecting pool.
NASA astronaut and Navy veteran, as well as this year’s parade Grand Marshal, Suni Williams, reiterated the idea that the tragedy invigorated the nation’s motivation to serve.
“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,” said Williams.
Mayor Mamdani appeared at the ceremony with public advocate Jumaane Williams, and pledged to advocate for military veterans as they return to life in the Big Apple carrying the weight of the battlefield.
“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.
