Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain appeared at the site of the former World Trade Center together today to mark the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S.
“Today, we honor the memory of the lives that were lost on September 11, 2001, and grieve with the families and friends who lost someone they loved in New York
City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We will never forget those who died,” said Obama in a statement. “We will always remember the extraordinary efforts of our firefighters, police and emergency responders, and those who sacrificed their own lives on Flight 93 to protect their fellow Americans. And we give thanks for the Americans defending us every day in our communities at home, and in our military abroad.”Speaking from Shanksville, Pa., McCain said: “No American living then should ever forget the heroism that occurred in the skies above this field on September 11, 2001. It is believed that the terrorists on United Flight 93 may have intended to crash the airplane into the United States Capitol. Hundreds if not thousands of people would have been at
work in that building when that fateful moment occurred, and been destroyed along with a beautiful symbol of our freedom. They and, very possibly I, owe our lives to the passengers who summoned the courage and love necessary to deny our depraved and hateful enemies their terrible triumph.”New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg had urged the rivals for the White House not to address the audience to ensure that the event didn’t get politicized.
The last time the two candidates appeared together was during a “Faith Forum” with Pastor Rick Warren in August. The two are set to hold their first debate on Sept. 26 at the University of Mississippi.
Deborah Creighton Skinner is the editorial director for BlackEnterprise.com.