In one of three ceremonies which were held to commemorate the 9/11 attacks, Obama said that the 3000 victims will never be forgotten, no matter how many years pass ever since Islamic militants attacked the Twin Towers with hijacked planes.
Speaking on the occasion at the Pentagon on September 11, 2012, Obama said, “This is never an easy day, but it is especially difficult for all of you, the families of nearly 3,000 innocents who lost their lives. But no matter how many years pass, no matter how many times we come together on this hallowed ground, know this: That you will never be alone, your loved ones will never be forgotten. They will endure in the hearts of our nation because through their sacrifice they helped us make the America we are today, an America that has emerged even stronger.”
The President also made it clear that the fight was not against Islam or those who practiced it but was against Al Qaeda keeping in mind that the United States was built to be a “beacon of freedom and tolerance”.
Prior to making his speech at the Pentagon ceremony, Obama and the first lady maintained a minute’s silence on the South Lawn of the White House while also visiting the Arlington Cemetery to pay respects to those fallen in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
On the other hand, Presidential nominee Mitt Romney said that the day of the anniversary marks a time when ‘evil descended upon our country’ while also alerting America’s enemies to the fact that the country is united as one to destroy them.