Sixteen years later: Remembering September 11

Today, we commemorate the lives lost in 2001 in New York, the Pentagon, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Our nation’s resilience in the face of the unspeakable acts of terror is profoundly with us today.

Our Veterans, many of whom were children at the time of the attacks, steadfastly heeded the call of our nation to bring security to our fellow citizens and we remain committed to caring for those Veterans, and all of those who heeded our nation’s call in times of national need. We do this in honor of the memory of our fellow citizens lost that day and the service of those who came before and after that day.

The nation rallied that day, and in the years since, with a special sense of purpose and duty to protect our fellow Americans from further attacks. The men and women of VA continue to embody that spirit of purpose and duty as we serve our Veterans and their families who volunteered to meet the challenge we faced then and face today.

We salute and stand committed to remembering those lost 16 years ago today. Our gratitude knows no bounds for them and for our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, government civilians, first responders, their families, who served and are serving our nation. You are in our hearts forever.