Live updates: Remembering 9/11
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After visiting the 9/11 memorial in New York City this morning, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden spent the second part of his day at the memorial at the crash site of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. He then stopped to bring beer and sweets to firefighters at a firehouse before departing the state.
At the memorial site, he and Jill placed a wreath in front of the name of First Office Leroy Homer, a victim of the crash and spent time speaking with Cheryl and Camal Homer, Leroy Homer’s relatives, along with several other relatives of victims.
Biden spoke with the press briefly on his way out, praising the bravery and courage of those on Flight 93. Asked what the memorial means to him, Biden replied, “It’s hard to underestimate the willingness of decent people to literally lay down their lives.”
“When you think about what happened — it’s one thing to react when you’re in a situation where you’re confronted with something and you have to act immediately. It’s another thing to consciously know that what you’re about to do is likely to cost you your life. That is an incredible thing,” he said.
Biden mentioned that he was here in 2011 and added, “I’ve been here on four occasions and it astounds me.”
He said his mom used to have an expression: “‘Joey, bravery resides in every heart and someday it will be summoned, the question is, will you respond?'” he said, quoting his mother. “And people responded. It’s absolutely incredible. It’s sort of, I know it’s not a uniquely American trait. But this is a country that never, never, never, never, never gives up. Never. Because we’re raising great kids like this one,” he said gesturing to Marissa Yee, the bagpipe player.
Biden was then asked how young people who were born after 9/11 can commemorate it. He said they can do so the same way that people who were born after D-Day commemorate that moment.