Monrovia — The United States Embassy in Monrovia on Friday commemorated the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, honoring the 2,977 people who lost their lives in one of the deadliest attacks in U.S. history.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The commemoration began with the lowering of the U.S. flag at the embassy, followed by a moment of silence led by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Joe Zadrozny at 8:46 a.m.—the exact time American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York.
A member of the United States Marine Corps then did a beautiful rendition of the U.S. national anthem, before Zadrozny delivered remarks reflecting on the lives lost, the bravery of first responders and the international solidarity that followed the attacks.
“At 8:46 AM, the world shifted in an instant,” Zadrozny said. “What began as a bright September morning transformed into a day of unprecedented tragedy.”
He said the anniversary was an opportunity to remember the 2,977 innocent civilians, first responders and service members killed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The Chargé d’Affaires also paid tribute to firefighters, police officers and paramedics who rushed toward danger, as well as passengers aboard United Airlines Flight 93 who resisted the hijackers before the aircraft crashed in Pennsylvania.
“We remember the courage of the firefighters, police officers, and paramedics who ran toward danger so that others might live,” Zadrozny said. “We remember the ordinary citizens on Flight 93, who performed extraordinary acts of bravery.”
Liberia’s Solidarity Remembered
Zadrozny also recalled Liberia’s response to the tragedy, noting that the Liberian government organized an intercessory service and declared three days of national mourning for the victims, including at least one Liberian.
He described Liberia’s solidarity with the United States following the attacks as an enduring element of the two countries’ relationship.
“Our Liberian hosts and international partners stood together with the United States in our grief, reminding us that we do not stand alone,” he said. “That solidarity remains a cornerstone of our work together today.”
Zadrozny said the anniversary should serve not only as a moment to remember the past but also as a reminder of the values of resilience, public service and unity.
“As our flag flies at half-staff, we carry a duty not only to remember the past, but to live out the values of resilience, public service, and unity that defined the days after 9/11,” he said.
2,977 Steps in Memory of 2,977 Lives
At 9:03 a.m., marking the moment United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center, participants began a symbolic 2,977-step memorial walk.
The walk started at the embassy flagpole, proceeded through the main gate and around the embassy compound along UN Drive and Benson Street.
Each step represented one of the 2,977 people who died in the September 11 attacks.
Despite a heavy downpour, Zadrozny joined the walk alongside Liberian government officials, U.S. Embassy staff and members of the press.
The memorial concluded with participants returning to the embassy grounds, where they gathered for coffee and refreshments.
The 9/11 attacks killed 2,977 people after four hijacked commercial aircraft were used in coordinated attacks against the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a target that was not reached after Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
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