KINGS POINT, NEW YORK, September 11, 2020– Today, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) hosted a brief ceremony to remember and honor the first responders and victims of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.

The day began with a volunteer early-morning memorial run. Afterward, with two firetrucks and a display of American flags in the background, the Regiment of Midshipmen gathered for the outdoor ceremony in front of Wiley Hall. Retired FDNY Lieutenant, Peter Buser, shared his experiences of that tragic day. “There are probably a handful of people standing before me that were not yet born on this day, 19 years ago,” said Buser. “At 8:36 a.m. that morning the Manhattan dispatcher made an announcement that would change my life forever. ‘A second alarm fire has been transmitted for an explosion at the World Trade Center.’ Within minutes, the South Tower was hit - confirming what had entered all of our minds - our country was under attack.” 

The ceremony concluded with Regimental Commander, Midshipman First Class Kyle Buser, calling the regiment to attention, for a moment of silence and the playing of Taps.

The Regiment of Midshipmen continued with other remembrances throughout the day. Including a 24-hour watch at the 911 Memorial, in honor of the victims and first responders. They also sounded 8 bells to mark the exact moments the terror attacks occurred 19 years ago: 

• 0846 - AA Flight 11 crashes into North Tower of One World Trade Center, NYC
• 0903 - UA Flight 175 crashes into South Tower of One World Trade Center, NYC
• 0937 - AA Flight 77 crashes into the Western Facade of the Pentagon, DC
• 0959 - South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses 
• 1007 - UA Flight 93 crashes in Somerset County Pennsylvania
• 028 - North Tower of the World Trade Center collapses 

In a Presidential Proclamation issued earlier today, President Donald J. Trump said, “This Patriot Day, we commemorate the lives of those who perished on September 11, 2001, we pray for the families who carry on their legacies, and we honor the unmatched bravery of our Nation’s first responders.  We also commend those who, in the days and years following the attack, answered the call to serve our country and continue to risk their lives in defense of the matchless blessings of freedom.

To read the entire proclamation, please click: Proclamation on Patriot Day, 2020

ABOUT USMMA

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, N.Y, educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Academy, which was established under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, as the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1943. It is administered by the Maritime Administration under the auspices of the Department of Transportation.

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