9/11 anniversary amid security concerns, grief, repercussions

Americans are commemorating the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with solemn ceremonies in New York City, at the Pentagon in Virginia, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

These events include moments of silence and reading aloud the names of the nearly 3,000 victims. Many people across the country are participating in voluntary work and charity projects.

James Lynch, who lost his father in the World Trade Centre attack, told Associated Press that, “Finding a joy in that grief, I think, has been a huge part of my growth with this.”

President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the Pentagon service. Vice President JD Vance is expected to visit the ceremony in New York, while Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collin will attend the event in Shanksville.

The anniversary arrived at a time of high political tensions in the country. The killing of a conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, raised security concerns surrounding the 9/11 ceremonies in New York.

Billions of dollars have been spent on healthcare for the people who were exposed to the toxic dust of the Twin Towers. More than 140,000 people are still enrolled in monitoring programs. As of 2025, nearly 50,000 people have been diagnosed with cancers linked to the exposure, with over 8,200 deaths from related illness.

David Paine, who organises volunteer services on anniversary day, expressed in an interview with the AP, “The amazing thing about 9/11 was that it brought our country together in a way that we had never experienced before, and I think there’s a longing for that sense of unity again.

How many people were killed in the 9/11 attacks?

The 9/11 attacks killed 2,977 people, not including the 19 hijackers.