Patriot Day honors the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks at the Pentagon, the World Trade Center and in a field in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001. The national observance also recognizes the courage of the first responders and service members who served in the wake of the attacks.
Many troops participate in memorial events, ceremonies and runs across the country and at bases worldwide to mark the significance.
For instance, the 270-mile Race for Remembrance – 9/11 Tribute Run begins Sept. 8 and continues through Sept. 11. The run starts in Arlington, Virginia, and finishes in New York City.
The September 11th National Memorial Trail is a 1,500-mile, multiuse route that links the Sept. 11 memorial in New York City, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
The trail traverses abandoned railroads, trails, rural roads, greenways and canal towpaths that can be walked, hiked and cycled. It is also accessible for people with disabilities.
The Navy honored the victims of the attacks by naming three amphibious transport dock ships the USS New York, USS Arlington and USS Somerset. The bow stem of the USS New York is made of 7.5 tons of steel recovered from ground zero.
After the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. military experienced a significant increase in recruitment as many who had not previously considered joining were eager to serve.
Today, many service members were not born or are too young to remember the attacks.