As a substitute, throughout varied stops in any respect three memorial websites — Decrease Manhattan, Shanksville and the Pentagon — members of the Biden administration tried to current a cleareyed view of what unfolded that day, in addition to dimension up the toll the aftermath has taken on People.
Vice President Kamala Harris stated in remarks delivered close to Shanksville that the tragedy of the assaults had proven how “concern can be utilized to sow division,” and harassed that America’s variety was its biggest asset.
“If we do the onerous work of working collectively as People, if we stay united in function,” she stated, “we shall be ready for no matter comes subsequent.”
Ms. Harris, memorializing the 40 passengers and crew members who fought again, inspired People to recollect their sacrifice.
“On this twentieth anniversary, on this solemn day of remembrance, we should problem ourselves, sure, to look again. To recollect. For the sake of our youngsters. For the sake of their kids,” she stated. “And for that purpose, we should additionally look ahead. We should additionally look towards the longer term. As a result of ultimately, I do imagine, that’s what the 40 have been preventing for: their future, and ours.”
Individuals who have recognized Mr. Biden for many years, who was a senator of Delaware and chairman of the Senate International Relations Committee on the time of the Sept. 11 assaults, stated they noticed a parallel between what he had stated within the aftermath of the assaults and the language he makes use of to information People by means of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Individuals have been strolling as much as him,” stated Margaret Aitken, who was press secretary for Mr. Biden when he was a senator. “He was actually stopping individuals on the road who seemed upset and giving that message: ‘We’re going to be OK. We’re going to be all proper. There’s nothing that after we come collectively as a nation we will’t overcome.’”
She added, “It’s very per what he has been saying all alongside” by means of the pandemic.
Michael Gold contributed reporting.