Presidential Documents

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


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51262 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 15, 2021 / Presidential Documents 

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 fortysixth. 

[FR Doc. 2021–20036 

Filed 9–14–21; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3295–F1–P 


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