Remembering September 11, 2001

Colleagues,

This Labor Day weekend, I had the opportunity to spend some time with close friends, several of whom serve in the military. We were all sitting around a dinner table discussing how this year marks the 19th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on our country. We found it hard to believe that it has been 19 years since those terrible moments. We recalled how those terrorist attacks forever altered the lives of so many people—from victims to first responders to military personnel—and impacted so many families, including some of our own.

While 19 years seems like so long ago, I still feel the pain and loss of September 11, 2001. I also remember how we came together as a country after those events—across all walks of life—to lend each other strength and healing. I remember the proud display of American flags throughout our country as a symbol that, though we had endured great tragedy, we united together to overcome.

Tomorrow morning, as Secretary Bernhardt joins President Trump at the Flight 93 National Memorial in my home State of Pennsylvania, I ask all Department of the Interior employees to join in a moment of silence at 10:03 a.m., to honor all 9/11 victims, heroes, families, first responders, and those who served honorably in the Global War on Terrorism/Operation Enduring Freedom. It is my sincere hope that, despite the distances across all Interior regions, we will come together for just a moment to remember those who lost their lives and also remember the enduring strength and humanity of our Nation and its people.

God bless.

Katharine MacGregor
Deputy Secretary of the Interior

Est 17027 Deputy Secretarys 9 11 All Employee Message 508 Compliant [pdf]