Next Wednesday, September 11, is Patriot Day. The day will mark the 23rd anniversary of a horrific day in US history. The total number of casualties after the tragedy was 2,977 but, as the ashes settled, stories emerged of the bravery of American citizens and uniformed personnel in New York City, at the Pentagon, and on a fourth airplane headed for the Nation’s Capital to strike a federal building.

Americans subsequently rose up, forsaking at least for a short time their political and ideological allegiances to offer comfort and good will to one another.

President George W. Bush proclaimed that every September 11 be recognized as Patriot Day. In 2016, President Barack Obama added “National Day of Service and Remembrance” to the Patriot Day designation. In 2017, President Donald Trump declared September 8-10 as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, reinforcing September 11 as Patriot Day.

Patriot Day is observed in the following ways:
• Americans observe Patriot Day with a moment of silence beginning at 8:46am Eastern Time.
• Ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services.
• Flags are displayed at half-staff from sunrise to sundown in honor of those killed.
• Flags are officially displayed on September 11 as listed in Section 174 of the U.S. Flag Code.
• State and local governments, private organizations, and individuals carry out appropriate programs and activities.

An extraordinary group of men and women numbering in the thousands, some of whom are among the ranks of BVA members today, volunteered unselfishly in the face of the attacks and in the months following September 11 to serve in the Armed Forces.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City recognizes the courage, selflessness, and sacrifice of those, many of them now veterans, who answered the call to serve or continued their military careers after the attacks. A short video from the Memorial highlights the commitment and resolve they demonstrated in doing so.