The U.S. flag is unfurled at sunrise on the west side of the Pentagon near the 9/11 Memorial in honor of those killed in the 9/11 terrorist attack, September 11, 2019. The flag unfurling marks the anniversary and will be followed by both private and public ceremonies.
[Presenter] At this time we would like to acknowledge the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Honorable David L. Norquist. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, performing the duties of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the Honorable James N. Stewart. The Deputy Chief Management Officer, Mrs. Lisa W. Hershman. The Acting Director for Administration and Organizational Policy for the Office of the Chief Management Officer, Mr. Sajeel S. Ahmed. The Director of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Mr. Jonathan H. Cofer. The Director of Washington Headquarters Services, Mr. Thomas M. Muir. And our many other distinguished guests who have joined us here today. 19 years ago at 11:14 on September 11th, 2001, President George W. Bush spoke to the nation and said, “Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, “our very freedom came under attack in a series “of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. “The victims were in airplanes or in their offices, “secretaries, businessmen and women, “military and federal workers, “moms and dads, friends and neighbors. “Thousands of lives were suddenly ended “by evil, despicable acts of terror. “The picture of airplanes flying into buildings, “fires burning, huge structures collapsing, “have filled us with disbelief, “terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. “These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten “our nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed. “Our nation is strong. “A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. “Terrorist acts can shake the foundations “of our biggest buildings, “but they cannot touch the foundation of America. “These acts shatter steel, “but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.” Ladies and gentlemen, please join Pentagon Chaplain Monica Lawson for the invocation.
Let us pray. Eternal and most gracious God. We stand on this morning in your presence to honor those who were first responders to the tragedies that took place on this date 18 years ago. We pray, oh God, for those who served and those who continue to serve, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We ask, oh God, that their heroic acts remain as a symbol of patriotism and perseverance for our country. We ask, dear God, that you would bless us and give us a renewed strength to stand for that which is right, and remember those whose lives we honor today. As we unfurl this flag, oh God, help us to be ever mindful of our pledge to stand together as one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. This we ask in your most holy and precious name. Amen.
[Presenter] Thank you, Chaplain Lawson. On Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon at this spot, claiming the lives of 184 people. 125 in the Pentagon and 59 aboard the aircraft. We all vividly recall the tragedies of that day. For those of you who were here at the Pentagon, the events will be forever etched in your thoughts and being. This morning’s ceremony is dedicated to those who responded to the tragedies of the 9/11 attacks. Those who proved themselves heroes that day. Many of you are here, and we thank you all for your actions that day and for your service to the country. That morning, members of the Pentagon’s Defense Protective Service responded within moments of the strike. I ask the following gentlemen to step forward and remain in place as their names are called. Decorated for their actions that day, with the Secretary of Defense’s highest medal for bravery, the Medal for Valor, were Deputy Chief John S. Kinnard, PFPA’s most decorated officer. Lieutenant David B. Webster. Mr. Abraham Diaz. And Mr. James T. Thomas. Alongside of the Defense Protective Service were members of the Pentagon Building Management Office and the Heating and Refrigeration Plant. Decorated for their actions that day were Medal for Valor recipients Mr. Timothy M. Breidan. Mr. David Brown. Mr. Robert H. Candido, who is unable to step forward as he is facilitating the unfurling of the colors this morning. And Mr. Dennis Smith, who is also facilitating the unfurling. And Mr. Donald Cooney. Thank you, gentlemen. This building, its tenants, and this nation owes you a debt of gratitude. These heroes of 9/11 were joined by brave men and women of 43 first responder agencies, some of whom are represented here today. Please join the ranks as we call your agencies. City of Alexandria Sheriff. Arlington Fire Department. Arlington County Police Department. Defense Protective Services, now the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. Fort Myer Emergency Services. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire and Rescue. Provost Marshal of the Military District of Washington. Virginia State Police. And United States Park Police. If there are any others here today that served as first responders to the Pentagon on September 11th, 2001, we invite you to join these ranks now. Ladies and gentlemen, these are the heroes of September 11th, 2001. Thank you for your service in 2001 and for being here today. On September 12th, 2001, the national colors were unfurled for all to see. The original flag was donated by Army Major General Jim Jackson, then the Military District of Washington Commander. He contacted nearby Fort Myer Virginia asking for the largest flag they could find. Thus, the US Army Band’s garrison flag took its place in history. The flag that day comforted all who saw her and symbolically declared our nation’s resolve. General Jackson is here today. Thank you, sir, for joining us. Since that time, the national colors has been unfurled on the same spot each year at dawn on 9/11 to remind all who attend the memorial ceremonies, those who go into work that morning, Pentagon visitors, and those who pass by on the highway, that this building remains strong. This department remains strong, and this nation remains resilient. Today’s colors will be unfurled by members of the Washington Headquarters Services Pentagon Building Management Office. The unfurling will be led by the Deputy Building Manager, Mr. Robert Candido. At this time, we invite all to join us in the singing of the National Anthem as the colors are unfurled. Oh, say can you see By the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hailed At the twilight’s last gleaming Whose broad stripes and bright stars Through the perilous fight O’er the ramparts we watched Were so gallantly streaming And the rockets’ red glare The bombs bursting in air Gave proof through the night That our flag was still there Oh say, does that star-spangled Banner yet wave O’er the land of the free And the home of the brave Ladies and gentlemen, the Chief of Pentagon Police, Woodrow G. Kusse.
Deputy Secretary Norquist, Mrs. Hershman. Mr. Steward, Mr. Ahmed, Mr. Cofer, Mr. Muir. I welcome our senior leadership, distinguished guests, and especially first responders from all agencies who have joined with us here today. Later this morning, our nation will pause to honor the victims of the September 11 attacks. But here at daybreak, we have paused to honor and offer our thanks to first responders from allied agencies throughout the national capital region who came to our rescue on that fateful day. Responding to the attack, Pentagon police officers, security specialists. From the Defense Protective Service and building, maintenance, and engineering staff from Washington Headquarters Services. We’re joined by police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians from throughout the national capital region. An untold number of military and civilian personnel serving throughout the Pentagon also leapt into action to save lives and mitigate damage that day working alongside our first responders. Secretary Rumsfeld’s charge to the force later that day was to remind us that the eyes of the world were upon us. We’re the most powerful, most iconic symbol of this nation’s military might, and we had taken a hit. As the gravity of the attacks unfolded, his message to the world was, it’s business as usual here at the Pentagon. The Department of Defense and our nation remained solid, strong, and resilient. So rather than striking the colors, thanks to General Jackson, we unfurled the largest one we could find. When the United States flag was unfurled here on September 12th just before President Bush’s arrival, it served both as a beacon of hope and symbol of unity in response to the attack against our civilians in New York City, in the skies above Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and here at the Pentagon. Taking that flag as a cue, the largest flags were flown from buildings throughout the nation. Many were illuminated throughout the night. Those flags serve as strong reminders that we as a nation were at war, and were not going to rest until the tide was turned and we were in pursuit of those who were responsible for the attacks. Here at the Pentagon, a garrison flag measuring a full 20 by 38 feet has been displayed on this date ever since, being unfurled at a sunrise event just like today in a very solemn commemoration. We have not forgotten that we are a nation at war in conflicts both long term, as well as emerging fronts both here and across the globe. For those of us who pass this site today, this flag is a strong reminder of our resolve and perseverance. It is also a symbol of our joint capabilities as first responders. For those of us who safeguard and maintain this building, you remain our closest mission partners, and for that I thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us this morning.
[Presenter] Thank you, Chief. (“Amazing Grace”) Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending today’s event. Please remain in place for the departure of the official party followed by our Medal for Valor recipients.