1
00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:15,172
Good afternoon everyone and
welcome to the 9/11 Remembrance

2
00:00:15,172 --> 00:00:17,379
Ceremony and 25th anniversary.

3
00:00:17,379 --> 00:00:20,980
Thank you for taking the time
to gather here as we honor

4
00:00:20,980 --> 00:00:22,980
the significance of this day.

5
00:00:22,980 --> 00:00:26,983
It means a great deal to stand
together here at the Memorial

6
00:00:26,983 --> 00:00:31,771
Garden, a place dedicated
to reflection, remembrance,

7
00:00:31,771 --> 00:00:35,840
and the endurance of
the spirit to serve.

8
00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:37,478
My name is Alex Righero.

9
00:00:37,478 --> 00:00:40,798
I'm a senior HR business partner
here at the Seattle Center,

10
00:00:40,798 --> 00:00:44,801
but I'm also an active duty
veteran and still currently

11
00:00:44,801 --> 00:00:47,658
serve in the Air Force Reserves.

12
00:00:47,658 --> 00:00:51,825
And like many of you, I
remember the attacks on

13
00:00:51,825 --> 00:00:56,780
September 11th and they made
a profound impact on me.

14
00:00:58,020 --> 00:01:01,246
I was in my last year
in high school, getting

15
00:01:01,246 --> 00:01:05,170
ready for school, and
remember witnessing on

16
00:01:05,170 --> 00:01:09,560
the morning new show,
the attacks happening.

17
00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:12,180
And it lasted with me.

18
00:01:12,180 --> 00:01:16,480
That moment of crisis
shaped my dedication and

19
00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:22,159
commitment to serving my country
and to serving my community.

20
00:01:22,159 --> 00:01:25,218
and less than a year later I
enlisted in the Air Force,

21
00:01:25,218 --> 00:01:28,200
which I'm still
currently serving in.

22
00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:30,578
And as we mark the
25th anniversary,

23
00:01:30,578 --> 00:01:33,900
we recognize how this day
continues to shape the lives

24
00:01:33,900 --> 00:01:39,540
of our service members,
our first responders,

25
00:01:39,540 --> 00:01:43,340
and those communities
across the nation.

26
00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:49,358
We honor those who were lost,
those who ran towards danger,

27
00:01:49,358 --> 00:01:52,280
and those who have served since.

28
00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:54,840
Again, I wanna thank you
for attending this morning.

29
00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:57,858
Thank you.

30
00:01:57,858 --> 00:02:01,180
[audience applauding]

31
00:02:02,700 --> 00:02:05,280
- Good afternoon, everyone.

32
00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:06,944
I am Charlie Scoma,
the chaplain for the

33
00:02:06,944 --> 00:02:07,938
Seattle Police Department.

34
00:02:07,938 --> 00:02:09,758
It's an honor to be
with you all here today

35
00:02:09,758 --> 00:02:12,360
and welcome you
to our gathering.

36
00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:15,693
This is a reminder that
we gather to remember the

37
00:02:15,693 --> 00:02:18,780
nearly 3,000 that lost
their lives that day.

38
00:02:18,780 --> 00:02:22,854
It's also a reminder that
as I listened to the NYFD

39
00:02:22,854 --> 00:02:26,735
health report this morning,
that lives are still being

40
00:02:26,735 --> 00:02:29,322
lost from 9/11 in the
fire service and with our

41
00:02:29,322 --> 00:02:32,520
first responders from the
lifelong effects of that day.

42
00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:34,395
I do want to remind us of that.

43
00:02:34,395 --> 00:02:36,900
This day was not just
a one-time event.

44
00:02:36,900 --> 00:02:39,722
It is still affecting us
all to this day physically

45
00:02:39,722 --> 00:02:42,139
and emotionally and
has changed our lives.

46
00:02:42,139 --> 00:02:47,116
So we gather today to remember,
to give time to remember

47
00:02:47,116 --> 00:02:50,526
the heroism that we saw,
not just from our first

48
00:02:50,526 --> 00:02:53,211
responders but civilians
and others that day and

49
00:02:53,211 --> 00:02:56,187
throughout the last 25
years of fighting for

50
00:02:56,187 --> 00:03:00,318
others and for their health
and for the benefits and

51
00:03:00,318 --> 00:03:03,395
things that our first
responders and others need

52
00:03:03,395 --> 00:03:04,372
still this day.

53
00:03:04,372 --> 00:03:06,610
I appreciate you all
being here and we

54
00:03:06,610 --> 00:03:08,729
will continue with
our service now.

55
00:03:08,729 --> 00:03:11,447
Thank you again and
we appreciate

56
00:03:11,447 --> 00:03:13,139
you all being here.

57
00:03:13,139 --> 00:03:17,098
[audience applauding]

58
00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:34,280
♪♪

59
00:04:11,598 --> 00:04:20,500
[bagpipes playing]

60
00:04:20,500 --> 00:04:21,500
♪♪

61
00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:25,500
[bagpipes playing]

62
00:04:25,500 --> 00:04:35,500
♪♪

63
00:05:29,660 --> 00:05:35,579
Please rise for the
presentation of the colors.

64
00:05:35,579 --> 00:05:42,220
Honor Guard, attention!

65
00:05:43,338 --> 00:06:00,379
Forward march!

66
00:06:00,379 --> 00:06:08,838
[FOOTSTEPS]

67
00:06:10,319 --> 00:06:15,360
Color guard, left face.

68
00:06:21,740 --> 00:06:27,199
>> Color Guard, uniformed
personnel, present arms.

69
00:06:29,699 --> 00:06:38,449
Oh, say can you see by
the dawn's early light

70
00:06:38,449 --> 00:06:47,199
What so proudly we
hailed at the twilight's

71
00:06:47,199 --> 00:06:55,079
last gleaming, Whose broad
stripes and bright stars through

72
00:06:55,079 --> 00:07:04,187
the perilous fight, o'er
the ramparts we watched

73
00:07:04,187 --> 00:07:09,740
were so gallantly streaming?

74
00:07:09,740 --> 00:07:18,199
And the rocket's red glare,
the bombs bursting in air,

75
00:07:18,199 --> 00:07:28,199
♪♪

76
00:07:40,720 --> 00:08:00,560
O'er the land of the free
and the home of the brave?

77
00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:10,060
Order arms.

78
00:08:18,338 --> 00:08:22,312
- Please join your
faith traditions and

79
00:08:22,312 --> 00:08:25,057
my faith tradition
as I offer this

80
00:08:25,057 --> 00:08:26,420
invocation as we begin.

81
00:08:26,420 --> 00:08:28,360
Let us pray.

82
00:08:29,540 --> 00:08:32,940
Holy God, creator of all
people and all nations,

83
00:08:32,940 --> 00:08:36,322
it is with sorrow that we
gather today to remember

84
00:08:36,322 --> 00:08:38,139
the events of 25 years ago.

85
00:08:38,139 --> 00:08:42,860
We lift you in prayer
the 2,507 civilians,

86
00:08:42,860 --> 00:08:48,980
the 343 New York firefighters,
23 New York police officers,

87
00:08:48,980 --> 00:08:51,716
37 port authority
officers, and 72 other law

88
00:08:51,716 --> 00:08:55,259
enforcement officers, and
55 military personnel

89
00:08:55,259 --> 00:08:58,682
who died in the Twin Towers
at the Pentagon and on

90
00:08:58,682 --> 00:09:02,177
United Airlines Flight
93 in Pennsylvania.

91
00:09:02,177 --> 00:09:04,158
We ask that you console
their families, friends,

92
00:09:04,158 --> 00:09:06,778
and all who continue
to mourn their loss

93
00:09:06,778 --> 00:09:08,778
in the hope that all
who trust in you

94
00:09:08,778 --> 00:09:11,500
find peace and rest
in your kingdom.

95
00:09:11,500 --> 00:09:13,519
We pray for those who
courageously responded

96
00:09:13,519 --> 00:09:16,240
to provide aid and
comfort to the afflicted.

97
00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:18,557
May their painful memories
of the day be healed

98
00:09:18,557 --> 00:09:22,720
and transformed into strength
and positive resolution.

99
00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:25,460
Enable us, dear God,
to put an end to fear

100
00:09:25,460 --> 00:09:27,700
by resolving to live
lives that are based on

101
00:09:27,700 --> 00:09:29,080
respect for one another.

102
00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:32,798
Be resolving to abide
in a peaceful manner

103
00:09:32,798 --> 00:09:34,798
and never settle
disagreements in our lives

104
00:09:34,798 --> 00:09:36,158
in a violent way.

105
00:09:36,158 --> 00:09:39,720
In times of darkness, may
we be sources of light.

106
00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:43,538
Let us resolve that we never
regard forgiveness as weakness

107
00:09:43,538 --> 00:09:45,975
but rather as a source
of strength in our

108
00:09:45,975 --> 00:09:47,379
lives and in our world.

109
00:09:47,379 --> 00:09:49,543
Bless our gathering here
today and the many that

110
00:09:49,543 --> 00:09:52,350
are gathering around the
nation and the world today

111
00:09:52,350 --> 00:09:55,240
to take this time to
remember the nearly 3,000

112
00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:58,615
individuals who died on
September 11th, 2001.

113
00:09:58,615 --> 00:10:00,778
We also pray for those that are

114
00:10:00,778 --> 00:10:03,729
still feeling the physical
and emotional effects this

115
00:10:03,729 --> 00:10:07,340
day. May you bring healing
and comfort to our

116
00:10:07,340 --> 00:10:09,245
nation as well.

117
00:10:09,245 --> 00:10:09,980
Amen.

118
00:10:12,658 --> 00:10:20,125
It's now my honor to
introduce our mayor Katie

119
00:10:20,125 --> 00:10:28,057
Wilson to share a few
remarks with all of us.

120
00:10:33,798 --> 00:10:35,440
Thank you.

121
00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:39,869
Well, it is my honor to be here
gathered with all of you and

122
00:10:39,869 --> 00:10:45,918
as mayor to affirm that Seattle
remembers, our city remembers.

123
00:10:45,918 --> 00:10:49,508
We are gathered here today
to commemorate the 25th

124
00:10:49,508 --> 00:10:53,460
anniversary of September 11th,
a day forever scarred in

125
00:10:53,460 --> 00:10:56,580
the memory of those of
us who lived through it.

126
00:10:56,580 --> 00:11:00,806
It was a day that fundamentally
altered the trajectory of

127
00:11:00,806 --> 00:11:05,110
our nation, that challenged our
sense of self and our place

128
00:11:05,110 --> 00:11:09,580
in the world, as nearly 3,000
people died due to the terrorist

129
00:11:09,580 --> 00:11:11,532
attacks that day.

130
00:11:11,532 --> 00:11:15,046
So today we remember those taken

131
00:11:15,046 --> 00:11:17,129
before their time.

132
00:11:17,129 --> 00:11:19,889
Today we remember the heroes who

133
00:11:19,889 --> 00:11:23,960
witnessed an act of
unimaginable horror and bravely

134
00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:27,985
rushed into the wreckage
and flames to help.

135
00:11:27,985 --> 00:11:31,139
The police, the
firefighters, the

136
00:11:31,139 --> 00:11:36,230
EMTs and others who saved
lives, often at great cost and

137
00:11:36,230 --> 00:11:40,283
sacrifice both that day
and for years to come.

138
00:11:40,283 --> 00:11:43,493
Today we remember
that even in the face

139
00:11:43,493 --> 00:11:47,988
of great tragedy, there is
still hope, still goodness to

140
00:11:47,988 --> 00:11:52,840
celebrate. From the small town
of Gander, Newfoundland, which

141
00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:55,440
sheltered thousands of
stranded passengers

142
00:11:55,440 --> 00:12:00,379
as the skies were shut down, to
the passengers of Flight 93,

143
00:12:00,379 --> 00:12:03,139
who wrested control of
their plane from hijackers

144
00:12:03,139 --> 00:12:07,181
and crashed, killing all
aboard, before it could

145
00:12:07,181 --> 00:12:08,658
reach its target.

146
00:12:08,658 --> 00:12:11,139
I was 19 years old that day.

147
00:12:11,139 --> 00:12:13,860
I was visiting my parents
in upstate New York

148
00:12:13,860 --> 00:12:15,980
before heading back to college.

149
00:12:15,980 --> 00:12:20,105
And I recall vividly
the visceral feeling of

150
00:12:20,105 --> 00:12:24,460
shock at the attack, how
near and how big it was.

151
00:12:24,460 --> 00:12:28,158
And as we watched the TV and
searched for news online, it was

152
00:12:28,158 --> 00:12:32,086
impossible to escape the sense
of helplessness in the face

153
00:12:32,086 --> 00:12:36,360
of such tragedy and a looming
sense that my world, our world,

154
00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:38,940
would never be the same.

155
00:12:40,120 --> 00:12:42,820
I remember how in the
days that followed,

156
00:12:42,820 --> 00:12:46,379
our communities and our
nation rallied together

157
00:12:46,379 --> 00:12:49,677
to support those who
had lost and sacrificed

158
00:12:49,677 --> 00:12:52,440
and how inspiring that was.

159
00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:57,139
And I also remember how
solidarity with neighbors

160
00:12:57,139 --> 00:13:00,658
turned to fear, the
Islamophobia that took root

161
00:13:00,658 --> 00:13:03,500
and made so many of our
neighbors innocent targets

162
00:13:03,500 --> 00:13:06,899
of hatred and discrimination.

163
00:13:06,899 --> 00:13:09,480
And then the long
wars that followed,

164
00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:13,019
the toll they took on the
Americans who fought in them

165
00:13:13,019 --> 00:13:15,158
and on the people
of other nations

166
00:13:15,158 --> 00:13:19,139
and the profoundly changed
world we live in today.

167
00:13:19,139 --> 00:13:21,677
All of this is a
part of our history

168
00:13:21,677 --> 00:13:25,423
and the legacy of that
day and important for

169
00:13:25,423 --> 00:13:26,918
us to remember.

170
00:13:26,918 --> 00:13:29,480
So I am honored and
humbled to be here today

171
00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:31,826
to mark this solemn occasion.

172
00:13:31,826 --> 00:13:36,899
For some, this anniversary marks
a personal loss of unspeakable

173
00:13:36,899 --> 00:13:40,792
proportions. For others,
it marks the end of

174
00:13:40,792 --> 00:13:45,000
an era, the pre- and
post-world in sharp relief.

175
00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:49,817
And it's also a reminder,
a question, what would you

176
00:13:49,817 --> 00:13:52,057
do if the moment called?

177
00:13:52,057 --> 00:13:54,759
We hold the memory of
September 11th for the victims

178
00:13:55,879 --> 00:13:58,720
and for those who made
the ultimate sacrifice

179
00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:01,379
trying to save others.

180
00:14:01,379 --> 00:14:04,677
We hold the memory for
our police officers,

181
00:14:04,677 --> 00:14:08,000
our firefighters, and all
of the first responders

182
00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:11,677
who show up every day
to serve our community,

183
00:14:11,677 --> 00:14:14,719
knowing full well
the seriousness of

184
00:14:14,719 --> 00:14:16,677
their responsibility.

185
00:14:16,677 --> 00:14:20,748
This day is a reminder that
any day we could be called

186
00:14:20,748 --> 00:14:25,163
to actions that test our
character and our courage

187
00:14:25,163 --> 00:14:27,341
and demand sacrifice.

188
00:14:27,341 --> 00:14:29,980
For the 25th anniversary of

189
00:14:29,980 --> 00:14:33,734
September 11th, let us
remember those who were lost

190
00:14:33,734 --> 00:14:37,695
in the attacks and let us
remember everyone who heard

191
00:14:37,695 --> 00:14:41,940
that call and gave that answer
of character and courage

192
00:14:41,940 --> 00:14:44,528
and sacrifice.

193
00:14:44,528 --> 00:14:46,320
Thank you.

194
00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:49,860
[audience applauding]

195
00:14:54,019 --> 00:14:56,720
- Good afternoon, everyone.

196
00:14:56,720 --> 00:14:58,940
Interim Chief Andre Sayles.

197
00:14:58,940 --> 00:15:01,798
I'm honored to be speaking
with you here today.

198
00:15:01,798 --> 00:15:04,879
25 years ago is a long time
since that terrible day,

199
00:15:04,879 --> 00:15:09,038
but it seems like many of
you remember yesterday.

200
00:15:09,038 --> 00:15:11,927
I can remember where I was,
sitting in my dorm room

201
00:15:11,927 --> 00:15:15,322
at Iowa Wesleyan College,
a senior in college.

202
00:15:15,322 --> 00:15:18,710
I learned about the
World Trade Center,

203
00:15:18,710 --> 00:15:22,778
the Pentagon, the 2977
innocent lives taken, and the

204
00:15:22,778 --> 00:15:25,754
people responsible for
the horrific violence

205
00:15:25,754 --> 00:15:28,269
that changed our
country forever.

206
00:15:28,269 --> 00:15:32,249
I was just a young man,
21 years old, a newly

207
00:15:32,249 --> 00:15:37,283
father, still figuring out what
I wanted to do in my life.

208
00:15:37,283 --> 00:15:39,739
I wasn't even a police officer

209
00:15:39,739 --> 00:15:43,759
yet. And I can promise you, I
had a lot more ambition and

210
00:15:43,759 --> 00:15:46,104
things that I wanted
to do that day.

211
00:15:46,104 --> 00:15:49,384
But learning of those attacks,
it led me to a calling,

212
00:15:49,384 --> 00:15:52,899
a calling of being a police
officer, serving our community,

213
00:15:52,899 --> 00:15:56,320
protecting our innocent people.

214
00:15:56,320 --> 00:16:03,057
I watched the city of New York,
Pennsylvania, Virginia on TV.

215
00:16:03,057 --> 00:16:05,710
A terrorism group had
planned and fulfilled

216
00:16:05,710 --> 00:16:08,778
a calculated attack, not
just on American soil,

217
00:16:08,778 --> 00:16:11,974
but on our major cities,
our landmarks, and took the

218
00:16:11,974 --> 00:16:15,778
lives of innocent people,
going about their daily lives.

219
00:16:15,778 --> 00:16:19,480
Like every American, I
was scared, stunned,

220
00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:21,960
and just couldn't process it.

221
00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:26,080
But in that time of darkness,
I went back to understanding

222
00:16:26,080 --> 00:16:28,884
that I had a calling
and that calling was

223
00:16:28,884 --> 00:16:30,460
to be a police officer.

224
00:16:31,980 --> 00:16:33,677
On September 11, 2001,

225
00:16:34,740 --> 00:16:37,879
these men and women
didn't miss a beat.

226
00:16:37,879 --> 00:16:41,840
They pushed, they
fought, they climbed,

227
00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:44,519
they did whatever it
took to save lives.

228
00:16:44,519 --> 00:16:47,594
When I think of the devastating
wreckage, images that

229
00:16:47,594 --> 00:16:48,960
go across my mind daily,

230
00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:52,798
I will always think of my
fellow first responders

231
00:16:52,798 --> 00:16:55,600
and the brave citizens
who did incredible things

232
00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:59,370
that day, many of whom
never returned home from

233
00:16:59,370 --> 00:17:00,432
Ground Zero.

234
00:17:00,432 --> 00:17:03,139
Today, it is our
job to do the heavy

235
00:17:03,139 --> 00:17:06,269
lifting. It is our job
to help people remember

236
00:17:06,269 --> 00:17:09,855
what was lost during this
tragedy, a terrorism

237
00:17:09,855 --> 00:17:11,920
attack here in America.

238
00:17:11,920 --> 00:17:16,500
I'm a proud father of three
boys, one who was born

239
00:17:16,500 --> 00:17:17,644
before 9/11.

240
00:17:17,644 --> 00:17:20,230
It is my job to make
sure they know this

241
00:17:20,230 --> 00:17:22,980
awful day is far bigger
than having to deal with

242
00:17:22,980 --> 00:17:25,701
tight security at the
airport, constantly

243
00:17:25,701 --> 00:17:29,460
hearing the expression, see
something, say something

244
00:17:29,460 --> 00:17:32,365
and other minor
inconveniences.

245
00:17:32,365 --> 00:17:35,344
The September 11th
terror attacks shook our

246
00:17:35,344 --> 00:17:36,606
country to its core.

247
00:17:36,606 --> 00:17:38,096
It changed the way we did

248
00:17:38,096 --> 00:17:41,553
everything from how we view
our safety to how we see

249
00:17:41,553 --> 00:17:43,278
ourselves as Americans.

250
00:17:43,278 --> 00:17:46,519
Every single person living in
the United States that day has a

251
00:17:46,519 --> 00:17:50,140
story, and a connection.

252
00:17:50,140 --> 00:17:53,881
I hope all of you are also
sharing your stories with your

253
00:17:53,881 --> 00:17:57,960
loved ones, friends,
colleagues, and the world.

254
00:17:59,380 --> 00:18:02,817
It's tough to share these
stories and to talk about

255
00:18:02,817 --> 00:18:04,699
it, but we can never forget.

256
00:18:04,700 --> 00:18:08,018
I'm proud not only to be an
American who loves this country,

257
00:18:08,018 --> 00:18:11,336
but I'm proud to remember
clearly the importance

258
00:18:11,336 --> 00:18:12,856
of public service.

259
00:18:12,856 --> 00:18:16,019
May we never forget what
our fellow Americans,

260
00:18:16,019 --> 00:18:20,092
our fellow first responders,
or our world endured

261
00:18:20,092 --> 00:18:21,940
on September 11, 2001.

262
00:18:21,940 --> 00:18:23,778
Thank you.

263
00:18:23,778 --> 00:18:28,220
[audience applauding]

264
00:18:34,557 --> 00:18:39,700
- Thank you.

265
00:18:39,700 --> 00:18:43,500
First to Director Engstrom
for hosting us here

266
00:18:43,500 --> 00:18:47,180
in this place at Seattle Center.

267
00:18:47,180 --> 00:18:51,200
Mayor Wilson, Chief Sayles,
Thank you for your words of

268
00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:53,278
remembrance and recognition.

269
00:18:53,278 --> 00:18:57,116
To our city council
members, our union leaders,

270
00:18:57,116 --> 00:19:00,140
the Seattle Fire and
Police Foundations,

271
00:19:00,140 --> 00:19:04,404
your support matters
in ways far beyond the

272
00:19:04,404 --> 00:19:06,778
reach of this ceremony.

273
00:19:06,778 --> 00:19:11,278
Alex, your welcoming words
set the tone for this event.

274
00:19:11,278 --> 00:19:16,538
We owe you a debt of gratitude
for your service to this nation.

275
00:19:16,538 --> 00:19:19,817
To our Seattle Firefighter
Pipes and Drums,

276
00:19:19,817 --> 00:19:22,798
the Walter Kilgore
Memorial Honor Guard,

277
00:19:22,798 --> 00:19:26,673
and Seattle Police Honor
Guard, thank you for being

278
00:19:26,673 --> 00:19:27,980
here and honoring us.

279
00:19:27,980 --> 00:19:31,255
Your presence matters,
and it makes this event

280
00:19:31,255 --> 00:19:32,798
even more special.

281
00:19:32,798 --> 00:19:36,259
Today's memorial is about
remembering the tragic events

282
00:19:36,259 --> 00:19:39,480
of 25 years ago and
honoring the memory

283
00:19:41,317 --> 00:19:44,380
of all who died that day.

284
00:19:44,380 --> 00:19:49,420
It's about making sure that we
never forget those stories,

285
00:19:49,420 --> 00:19:55,557
sacrifices and impact, even as
the years continue to pass.

286
00:19:55,557 --> 00:19:59,798
For many, the memories
of 9/11 remain vivid.

287
00:19:59,798 --> 00:20:04,394
were taken back to the moment we
first saw the aftermath of the

288
00:20:04,394 --> 00:20:06,920
planes crashing into the towers.

289
00:20:06,920 --> 00:20:11,035
Shock, disbelief,
fear, confusion.

290
00:20:11,035 --> 00:20:16,076
These are just a few of
the emotions that I felt

291
00:20:16,076 --> 00:20:18,576
And you probably did too.

292
00:20:18,576 --> 00:20:22,421
I was at home when my
wife, Abigail, called out

293
00:20:22,421 --> 00:20:24,240
to me to turn on the TV.

294
00:20:24,240 --> 00:20:27,895
And I saw the smoke billowing
from the North Tower.

295
00:20:27,900 --> 00:20:30,750
The second plane hit the
South Tower, followed

296
00:20:30,750 --> 00:20:33,596
by the news of the fiery
crash into the Pentagon

297
00:20:33,596 --> 00:20:38,633
and the heroic efforts
of passengers on United

298
00:20:38,633 --> 00:20:41,856
Flight 93 over Pennsylvania.

299
00:20:41,856 --> 00:20:45,635
Our sense of security
was shattered that day.

300
00:20:45,640 --> 00:20:51,140
Even now when I see the
news coverage of 9/11,

301
00:20:51,140 --> 00:20:56,180
I'm reminded of the enormity
of what happened that day.

302
00:20:56,180 --> 00:20:58,440
And yet for a growing
number of people,

303
00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:02,259
what happened on September
11th in history, they

304
00:21:02,259 --> 00:21:04,500
didn't personally witness.

305
00:21:04,500 --> 00:21:06,460
We're a generation away.

306
00:21:06,460 --> 00:21:10,557
That makes our responsibility
clear to carry forward

307
00:21:10,557 --> 00:21:14,853
the meaning of that day, to
ensure the sacrifices are

308
00:21:14,853 --> 00:21:19,798
never forgotten, and to remind
ourselves of why service,

309
00:21:19,798 --> 00:21:24,900
compassion, and courage
matter now more than ever.

310
00:21:27,317 --> 00:21:32,178
Nearly 3,000 people perished in
New York, at the Pentagon, and

311
00:21:32,178 --> 00:21:34,700
in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

312
00:21:34,700 --> 00:21:39,909
Among those were 343 of our
bravest, who were killed while

313
00:21:39,909 --> 00:21:45,546
fulfilling their duty to rescue
those trapped in the World Trade

314
00:21:45,546 --> 00:21:50,659
Center. Much is said about how
first responders rush in to the

315
00:21:50,660 --> 00:21:52,276
face of danger.

316
00:21:52,276 --> 00:21:55,134
9/11 proved that to be true.

317
00:21:55,134 --> 00:22:00,356
The most tragic and heroic
way imaginable as we all

318
00:22:00,356 --> 00:22:04,922
watched. I believe 9/11 was
too important for us to

319
00:22:04,922 --> 00:22:09,669
lose what we went through
to let them become cobwebs

320
00:22:09,669 --> 00:22:10,789
in history.

321
00:22:10,789 --> 00:22:13,380
That day firefighters died

322
00:22:13,380 --> 00:22:17,269
because they ran towards
the burning towers.

323
00:22:17,269 --> 00:22:20,038
I still think about their choice

324
00:22:20,038 --> 00:22:24,635
to run towards the unknown
danger with the belief

325
00:22:24,635 --> 00:22:29,546
they can save lives because
that's what we believe every

326
00:22:29,546 --> 00:22:30,515
single day.

327
00:22:30,515 --> 00:22:33,519
Each one is truly
heroic in my eyes for

328
00:22:33,519 --> 00:22:35,893
those sacrifices.

329
00:22:35,893 --> 00:22:40,045
Those losses did
not stop on 9/11.

330
00:22:40,045 --> 00:22:45,255
In the last 25 years, more
FDNY firefighters have

331
00:22:45,255 --> 00:22:50,180
died from cancer and other
illnesses from working on the

332
00:22:50,180 --> 00:22:54,420
pile during 9/11.

333
00:22:54,420 --> 00:22:59,278
Here in Seattle, we sent
Washington Task Force One

334
00:22:59,278 --> 00:23:01,980
out to help.

335
00:23:01,980 --> 00:23:04,616
Today, we have Assistant
Chief Chris Lombard here.

336
00:23:04,616 --> 00:23:07,740
If you mind, put
your hand up, Chris.

337
00:23:07,740 --> 00:23:10,259
Assistant Chief Chris
Lombard and Battalion

338
00:23:10,259 --> 00:23:14,660
Chief Tom Richardson
responded back then, and

339
00:23:14,660 --> 00:23:19,220
they worked on the pile
for a couple of weeks.

340
00:23:19,220 --> 00:23:23,496
It's important for us to
remember those losses

341
00:23:23,496 --> 00:23:25,576
go beyond ground zero.

342
00:23:25,576 --> 00:23:31,210
Residents and other first
responders who came from outside

343
00:23:31,210 --> 00:23:35,576
of New York City to help
have also died of cancer and

344
00:23:35,576 --> 00:23:39,227
all those other related
illnesses after 9/11.

345
00:23:39,227 --> 00:23:41,380
And that's why remembering

346
00:23:41,380 --> 00:23:46,528
these devastating attacks
remains so important to

347
00:23:46,528 --> 00:23:49,163
us. The impact is ongoing.

348
00:23:49,163 --> 00:23:54,380
9/11 will always be a
dark day in our history.

349
00:23:54,380 --> 00:23:56,880
But what we
experienced afterwards

350
00:23:56,880 --> 00:23:59,817
was resilience and humanity.

351
00:23:59,817 --> 00:24:04,220
We came together to
grieve and to rebuild.

352
00:24:04,220 --> 00:24:08,420
We found strength in one
another as we're doing today.

353
00:24:08,420 --> 00:24:10,940
And the unity we
forged in those days

354
00:24:10,940 --> 00:24:14,019
reminded us what was possible.

355
00:24:14,019 --> 00:24:19,346
In our own act of remembrance
earlier today, our firefighters

356
00:24:19,346 --> 00:24:24,164
gathered around their station
flagpoles for a moment of

357
00:24:24,164 --> 00:24:28,986
silence at all 33 Seattle fire
stations to read aloud the

358
00:24:28,986 --> 00:24:33,596
names of the 343 firefighters
who passed away on 9/11.

359
00:24:35,317 --> 00:24:40,557
Chief Sayles, Alex, and I
raised the flag on top of the

360
00:24:40,557 --> 00:24:43,240
space needle this morning.

361
00:24:43,240 --> 00:24:46,836
And you can't see it because
it's sitting at half

362
00:24:46,836 --> 00:24:50,259
staff right now honoring
those who were lost.

363
00:24:50,259 --> 00:24:52,519
These moments matter.

364
00:24:52,519 --> 00:24:57,182
They remind us that
remembrance is an action,

365
00:24:57,182 --> 00:25:00,923
an act of honoring, of
acknowledging, and of

366
00:25:00,923 --> 00:25:03,096
keeping their legacy alive.

367
00:25:03,096 --> 00:25:06,538
May we use 9-1-1
as a lesson that

368
00:25:06,538 --> 00:25:10,690
even in dark times,
there's always a hope

369
00:25:10,690 --> 00:25:12,817
we can come together.

370
00:25:12,817 --> 00:25:18,285
There is always strength in
community and there is always

371
00:25:18,285 --> 00:25:21,356
resilience in the human spirit.

372
00:25:21,356 --> 00:25:28,519
Today and here forward, as we
remember and reflect, we know

373
00:25:28,519 --> 00:25:31,739
that we will never forget.

374
00:25:31,739 --> 00:25:32,960
Thank you.

375
00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:40,278
[audience applauding]

376
00:25:40,278 --> 00:25:49,919
- Color guard, march in step.

377
00:25:51,875 --> 00:25:57,419
- Just before I invite you to
enter into a moment of silence,

378
00:25:57,419 --> 00:25:59,534
I want to remind you
that we're going to hear

379
00:25:59,534 --> 00:26:02,115
Amazing Grace played by the
Seattle Fire Honor Guard

380
00:26:03,759 --> 00:26:07,131
afterwards, as well as we'll
have our moment of silence and

381
00:26:07,131 --> 00:26:08,919
then a benediction following.

382
00:26:08,919 --> 00:26:13,115
So, at this time, I invite us
all into a moment of silence

383
00:26:13,115 --> 00:26:17,038
as we remember the nearly
3,000 who died 25 years ago

384
00:26:17,038 --> 00:26:20,211
and as the Chief has
mentioned, the ongoing efforts

385
00:26:20,211 --> 00:26:23,239
of health and things that
are taking place today.

386
00:26:23,239 --> 00:26:26,980
Let us now take a moment
of silence to remember.

387
00:26:26,980 --> 00:26:28,980
[breathing]

388
00:26:30,557 --> 00:26:31,719
[Pause]

389
00:26:31,719 --> 00:26:46,395
[BREATHING HEAVILY]

390
00:26:59,096 --> 00:27:02,279
Thank you, at this time the
wreaths are being laid by

391
00:27:02,279 --> 00:27:06,045
Seattle Fire Department and
Seattle Police Department

392
00:27:06,045 --> 00:27:09,240
next to the memorial
rock here placed here at

393
00:27:09,240 --> 00:27:13,298
the Seattle Center.

394
00:27:18,459 --> 00:27:19,459
♪♪

395
00:27:19,459 --> 00:27:20,459
[bagpipes playing
"Amazing Grace"]

396
00:27:20,459 --> 00:27:21,459
[bagpipes playing
"Amazing Grace"]

397
00:27:21,459 --> 00:27:31,459
♪♪

398
00:27:42,659 --> 00:27:46,659
[bagpipes playing
"Amazing Grace"]

399
00:27:46,659 --> 00:27:48,659
♪♪

400
00:27:51,538 --> 00:27:51,557
[bagpipes playing]

401
00:27:51,557 --> 00:27:52,557
[bagpipes playing
"Amazing Grace"]

402
00:27:52,557 --> 00:27:53,557
[bagpipes playing]

403
00:27:53,557 --> 00:28:03,557
♪♪

404
00:28:16,298 --> 00:28:17,298
[bagpipes playing]

405
00:28:17,298 --> 00:28:27,298
♪♪

406
00:29:57,375 --> 00:30:00,496
Before we hear the words of
sending, I would like to invite

407
00:30:00,496 --> 00:30:01,856
you as you are able to rise

408
00:30:03,096 --> 00:30:07,125
and to remain standing
while the joint honor

409
00:30:07,125 --> 00:30:09,519
guards retire the colors.

410
00:30:12,115 --> 00:30:17,539
With our renewed pledge
of "We Will Not Forget,"

411
00:30:17,539 --> 00:30:22,557
we remember all of those
who lost their lives

412
00:30:22,557 --> 00:30:28,961
and who have been impacted
as a result of 9/11.

413
00:30:28,961 --> 00:30:33,180
We ask our Lord as we leave from

414
00:30:33,180 --> 00:30:39,913
here to lead us, to come by
our side, to encourage us,

415
00:30:39,913 --> 00:30:45,596
behind us to strengthen us,
above us to watch over,

416
00:30:45,596 --> 00:30:49,958
to guard, and to guide
us, and especially within

417
00:30:49,958 --> 00:30:51,798
us, to give us peace.

418
00:30:51,798 --> 00:30:58,239
Amen. - Thank you for attending.

419
00:30:58,239 --> 00:30:59,239
[APPLAUSE]

420
00:30:59,239 --> 00:31:01,239
[applause]