Ivey marks 25 years since 9/11: ‘We must never forget’

Twenty-five years after the deadliest terror attack in American history, Governor Kay Ivey is calling on Alabamians to remember those who died, honor the heroes who answered the call and make sure a new generation understands what happened on Sept. 11, 2001.

In a video message released Thursday, Ivey marked the 25th anniversary of the attacks and reflected on the loss, courage and national unity that followed.

“My fellow Alabamians, this September 11th marks 25 years since the worst terror attack in the history of our country,” Ivey said.

“It was also a direct assault on the American people.

“It was an attempt to destroy our spirit and our freedom.”

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four passenger jets. Two were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City. A third struck the Pentagon. Passengers and crew aboard United Airlines Flight 93 fought back against the hijackers before the plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The attacks killed 2,977 people: 2,753 in New York, 184 at the Pentagon and 40 aboard Flight 93. The victims came from more than 90 nations.

Some of those killed were Alabamians.

“The pain and the loss of that day were so deep and enduring that the scars remain with us today,” Ivey said. “Nearly 3,000 Americans from all walks of life perished on September the 11th.

“Their lives were taken in New York City, Washington, DC and on a quiet field in rural Pennsylvania. Some were Alabamians.”

But Ivey’s message focused not only on what America lost that day, but also on how Americans responded.

“Yet, in midst of that terrible day, we Americans rose up united and stood strong,” Ivey said.

“We resolved to overcome the evil of that day and never forget those we lost.

“After 9-11, America fought back, and we have never stopped pursuing justice for the victims.”

That courage came at a staggering cost. Among those killed on Sept. 11 were 343 New York City firefighters, 37 Port Authority police officers and 23 New York City police officers. It remains the largest loss of rescue personnel in American history.

A quarter-century later, the passage of time is creating a new challenge: keeping the memory of 9/11 alive for Americans who were not yet born when the attacks took place.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum estimates that about 100 million Americans are now either too young to remember the attacks or were born afterward. The museum has made teaching that generation about the attacks, their aftermath and the acts of courage that followed a major focus of the 25th anniversary.

Ivey made the same point in her message to Alabama.

“On Patriot Day – we must renew our commitment to honor and remember those taken from us 25 years ago,” she said.

“We must ensure our young generations know what happened on September 11, 2001.

“We must never forget. We will always remember.”

Ivey closed by asking God’s blessing on Alabama and the nation.

“May God continue to bless each of you, and these great United States of America!”

Ivey also ordered flags across Alabama to be flown at half-staff on Friday in observance of Patriot Day and the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

Across the country, families of the victims gathered Friday at the National September 11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan for the annual reading of the names. Six moments of silence marked the times when the World Trade Center towers were struck and fell, the attack on the Pentagon and the crash of Flight 93. This year, organizers also added a seventh moment of silence to honor those who later died from illnesses or injuries tied to 9/11.

The Governor’s message may be seen on YouTube and below: