Dr. Jill Biden made history on Sunday when she became the first-ever first lady to give a solo memorial speech in honor of 9/11 at the United Flight 93 Memorial Observation.
First lady Jill Biden at memorial for Flight 93 on the 21st anniversary of 9/11: "This is the legacy we must carry forward: hope that defies hate. Love that defies loss. And the ties that hold us together through it all." https://t.co/nLF0LsigcV pic.twitter.com/gcXp7IceTI
— ABC News (@ABC) September 11, 2022
She thanked all flight crew for the actions they took on 9/11, and in the immediate aftermath of the attack, as well as for the tasks they have done over the previous two years in spite of “unkind and even aggressive passengers.”
Her Remarks
After that, Biden proceeded by saying we have stories of optimism, of the humanity that shines through despite the intensity of that event. We were all affected by 9/11.
It had an effect on all of us; it serves as a reminder that with bravery and compassion, we can shine a light in the shadows.
It demonstrated to us that we are all interconnected; as such, on this holy and scarred earth, a record of our struggles and a monument to the stories that continue to live on in us each day may be found.
This is the gift we are tasked with continuing.
'This is the legacy we must carry forward: hope that defies hate, love that defies loss,' first lady Jill Biden said as she commemorated the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States in Shanksville, Pennsylvania pic.twitter.com/e2avwFCEL4
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 11, 2022
Vice President Kamala Harris, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, both attended memorial services in New York City.
This was on the same day that President Biden participated in a wreath-laying ceremony and conveyed his own speech at the Pentagon on Sunday.
The Bidens marked the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by attending memorial ceremonies in 2021 at all three of the buildings that were destroyed in the attacks.
Where They Were
In contrast to a large number of other legislators, on the morning of September 11, 2001, then-Senator Joe Biden was not located in the Washington DC area.
It is believed he found out about the attacks when he was riding the Amtrak to Washington.
Dr. Jill Biden was in Delaware at the time, preparing to begin teaching her morning courses at Delaware Technical and Community College. She called her husband to tell him about the tragedy.
She explained in a statement that was released with the 20th anniversary that 20 years ago today, in our common experience of shock, grief, and resolution, we found unity.
We supported one another and concluded that we were more powerful as a unit than individually.
She continued by saying it can be tough to untangle meaning from loss and sorrow, especially in situations where nothing appears apparent and we simply want one more minute of the “before” again.
She said it is a statement to the effect that our emotions never move in a straight line. Yet, as we remember those who were taken from us, let us reach out to each other once more in unity, recognizing that our similarities are limitless, and our differences are precious.
This article appeared in NewsHouse and has been published here with permission.
