Americans mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with emotional ceremonies

Nearly a quarter century has passed since the September 11, 2001, attacks, but for many, the emotions of the day remain raw as ever.

- by Philip Marcelo Associated Press

On Thursday, America marked the 24th anniversary of the deadly attacks with solemn ceremonies at commemorations in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, punctuated by moments of silence, the tolling of bells, and the reading of the names of the nearly 3,000 killed.

Jennifer Nilsen, whose husband, Troy Nilsen, perished in the World Trade Center, was among those wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with an image of a lost loved one as she attended the commemoration at ground zero in lower Manhattan.

“Even 24 years later, it’s heart-wrenching. It feels the same way every year,” she said.

Michelle Pizzo, who also wore a shirt bearing the image of her late husband, Jason DeFazio, who died in the trade center attack, hoped more people could just take one minute to reflect on the day.

“Younger kids don’t realize that you have to remember,” she said.

The remembrances are being held during a time of increased political tensions. The 9/11 anniversary, often promoted as a day of national unity, comes a day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a college in Utah.

The reading of names and moments of silence

Kirk’s killing prompted additional security measures around the 9/11 anniversary ceremony at the World Trade Center site in New York.

FBI Director Kash Patel was among the dignitaries in attendance. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, had planned to attend, but instead are set to visit with Kirk’s family on Thursday in Salt Lake City, according to a person familiar with Vance’s plans, who is not authorized to speak about them publicly.