SHANKSVILLE, Pennsylvania — President Trump mixed warnings to terrorists with tributes to the American spirit in a somber speech at the spot marking where Flight 93 crashed in a rural Pennsylvania field on 9/11.
“The heroes of Flight 93 are an everlasting reminder that no matter the danger, no matter the threat, no matter the odds, America will always rise up, stand tall, and fight back,” he said in front of marble slabs etched with the names of the 40 passengers and crew who died as they fought with hijackers for control of the plane.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden was due to follow Trump in making the pilgrimage to the grassy field in southwestern Pennsylvania later in the day.
Although the day of remembrance marked a brief pause in hostilities, their choice of location is a reminder that this is an election year. Pennsylvania is a must-win state for both candidates. And in a careful piece of coordination, their schedules were arranged so that the two candidates would not cross paths.
Earlier, the president and first lady observed a moment of silence en route to the memorial, standing and pausing at 8:45 a.m. aboard Air Force One to mark the moment the first plane hit the World Trade Center.
They arrived to a glowering Pennsylvania sky. A scattering of rain had left the Flight 93 memorial cold and damp, adding to a mood of solemnity.
Before Trump spoke, the names of the 40 passengers and crew were read aloud, each one followed by the tolling of two bells.
“Nineteen years ago, on this day, at this very hour, on this field, 40 brave men and women triumphed over terror and gave their lives in defense of our nation,” said Trump.
“Their names and their stories are forever inscribed on the eternal roll call of American heroes.”
United Flight 93 was bound for San Francisco from Newark, New Jersey, before hijackers took control. It never hit its intended target — believed to be the U.S. Capitol or the White House, just 18 minutes flying time away.
Trump recounted the story, describing how even in a moment of terror, the passengers and crew did “the most American of things” and held a vote on storming the cockpit.
That they did. And instead of slamming into the Capitol dome, it crashed in a grassy field in rural Shanksville, in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Trump described those actions and the shared experience of a country that survived the attack as a unifying force.
“We were united by our conviction that America was the world’s most exceptional country, blessed with the most incredible heroes, and that this was a land worth defending with our very last breath,” he added.
But for all the talk of healing and of bringing people together, Trump also had a blunt warning for those that would do America harm.
“America will never relent in pursuing terrorists that threaten our people,” he said.
“Less than one year ago, American warriors took out the savage killer and leader of ISIS, al Baghdadi. Soon after, our warriors ended the brutal reign of the Iranian butcher who murdered thousands of American service members. The world’s top terrorist, Qasem Soleimani, is dead.”
After thanking emergency workers and remembering those who had lost their lives in conflicts since 9/11, he laid a wreath before the marble wall memorial.
The event was more restrained than in previous years. Instead of a 90-minute ceremony with multiple speakers and musical interludes, this year’s private event lasted a little more than 40 minutes.
And instead of hundreds of the members of the public, the audience was limited to fewer than 200 family members, officials, and National Park Service personnel in socially distanced seats.
“At the request of the families of Flight 93, and in order to adhere to public health guidelines, this year’s observance will be held privately,” said a notice posted on the memorial’s website.
John Joyce, the U.S. representative for the area, said it was still a powerful moment to come together.
“This is a moment in the strife of our country where everyone must pause, join together, pray, understand that in face of adversity, we can be one nation under God, united and strong,” he said.
The 9/11 ceremonies here are a regular stop for presidents and presidential candidates. Trump visited for the anniversary in 2018, and Vice President Pence attended last year.
Biden spoke at the Shanksville memorial twice when he was vice president.
He is due to arrive in the afternoon once Trump is back in the White House.
“I’m not going to make any news today,” Biden told reporters before leaving for a morning ceremony in New York. “I’m not going to talk about anything other than 9/11. We took all our advertising down. It’s a solemn day.”
