[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 15, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 51261-51262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20036]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 15, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 51261]]


                Proclamation 10254 of September 10, 2021

                
Patriot Day and National Day of Service and 
                Remembrance, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Twenty years ago, the United States endured one of the 
                most unconscionable tragedies in our country's history. 
                The cowardly terrorist attacks on the World Trade 
                Center, the Pentagon, and onboard United Flight 93 cut 
                short the lives of 2,977 innocent people. These attacks 
                tore a hole in the heart of our Nation, and the pain of 
                this tragedy still remains. Each year on this somber 
                date, we remember the horror and bravery shown that 
                day, just as we remember how we came together, united 
                in grief and in purpose. Each year, we renew our solemn 
                vow to never forget what happened on September 11, 
                2001, or those who lost their lives.

                On Patriot Day and National Day of Service and 
                Remembrance, we honor every life that was taken too 
                soon. We honor the first responders--firefighters, law 
                enforcement officers, emergency workers, and service 
                members--who answered the call of duty, and the brave 
                civilians who rushed into action to save lives that 
                day. Their courage embodies the American spirit and 
                resilience, and their heroism continues to inspire new 
                generations of Americans.

                My mother used to say that ``courage lies in every 
                heart, and one day it will be summoned.'' It was 
                summoned and shown by those who responded to the events 
                on 9/11. First responders, emergency workers, and 
                civilians ran to where the devastation was the 
                greatest, where death came in an instant but where 
                there were survivors to be found; a determined group of 
                heroes onboard United Flight 93 sacrificed their lives 
                to save the lives of others--in every case, Americans 
                faced the unimaginable with resolve and courage. Today 
                and every day, we draw hope from the strength and 
                selflessness of those who stepped up to serve their 
                fellow man and our Nation on that tragic day.

                We also remember the patriotism and valor of our 
                service members who pursued our attackers, delivered 
                justice to Osama bin Laden, and degraded al-Qa'ida. We 
                will keep our sacred obligation to care for our service 
                members and veterans who served in Afghanistan over the 
                last 20 years, as well as their families, caregivers, 
                and survivors.

                Over the last two decades the American people have 
                demonstrated that the harder the circumstances, the 
                more resilient and stronger we become. Our shared love 
                of country and our shared values--regardless of race, 
                gender, religion, origin, or economic status--unite us 
                as Americans against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

                Today, on this Patriot Day and National Day of Service 
                and Remembrance, we move forward as one Nation, united 
                by our common goal of liberty and justice for all. We 
                remember those killed on September 11, 2001, and honor 
                them through acts of service. I encourage all Americans 
                to visit americorps.gov/911-day to learn about and seek 
                opportunities to serve others on this day and to 
                demonstrate once again that the ideals we hold, which 
                many have tried to attack and destroy, are the very 
                bonds that hold us together--even tighter in times of 
                peril.

[[Page 51262]]

                By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 
                (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated 
                September 11 of each year as ``Patriot Day,'' and by 
                Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the 
                Congress has requested the observance of September 11 
                as an annually recognized ``National Day of Service and 
                Remembrance.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, do hereby proclaim 
                September 11, 2021, as Patriot Day and National Day of 
                Service and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, 
                agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to 
                display the flag of the United States at half-staff on 
                Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance 
                in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on 
                September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the 
                United States and its Territories and interested 
                organizations and individuals to join in this 
                observance. I call upon the people of the United States 
                to participate in community service in honor of those 
                our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate 
                ceremonies and activities, including remembrance 
                services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning 
                at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the 
                innocent victims who perished as a result of the 
                terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                sixth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-20036
Filed 9-14-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P