Commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks

Ambassador Vershbow at the commemoration

Employees of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul gathered in the parking lot of the Chancery on Monday, September 11, at 9:15 a.m. to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Marine Guards lowered the U.S. flag to half-staff, and Embassy employees observed a moment of silence to honor the memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, on the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania.

Ambassador Vershbow stated:

Thank you for joining us as we observe Patriot Day, the fifth anniversary of the terrible events that took place on September 11, 2001. Surely everyone here remembers the events that took place that day, and where they were when the news came in. The United States was directly attacked, but the events that took place at the World Trade Center in New York, at the Pentagon, and in the skies over Pennsylvania threatened the security and the stability of people all over the world. We will always feel grief and sorrow for what happened on 9/11, and we’ll never forget the horrific events of that day. But as we mark the fifth anniversary of this tragedy, let’s come together with a renewed sense of purpose and strength, a firm resolve that America is a stronger country than it was five years ago, and that we stand unified with our friends and allies to confront the challenges ahead.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001, Congress designated September 11th as Patriot Day. President George W. Bush has authorized the observation of a moment of silence and the lowering of the American flag to half-staff to honor those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. So, now, please join me as we observe a moment of silence to honor those persons who perished on 9/11 and those whose lives were forever changed by those horrible events.