In observance of the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, President Donald Trump has declared Friday through Sunday of this week to be "Days of Prayer and Remembrance," and Monday to be "Patriot Day."
The White House made the announcements Friday in official statements.
"During National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, our Nation recalls the nearly 3,000 innocent people murdered on September 11, 2001. As we reflect on our sorrow and our grief, we come together to pray for those who lost loved ones," Trump said. "As a Nation, we pray that the love of God and the comfort of knowing that those who perished are forever remembered brings them peace and gives them courage."
In Trump's declaration that Friday through Sunday be dedicated to prayer and remembrance of those who died in the attacks, the president referred to the "Survivor Tree" at the World Trade Center site in Manhattan.
"Today, a single tree stands near the base of what was once the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, having survived that fateful day 16 years ago," the statement said. "This tree, the 'Survivor Tree,' stands as a living testament to our national character of triumph. Like the Survivor Tree, we continue to stand tall and strong as one Nation. Try as they might, terrorists will never defeat our resilient American spirit."
The Survivor Tree, a Callery pear tree, was discovered in the days following the attacks with "snapped roots and burned and broken branches," according to the memorial website. The tree was placed in the care of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, rehabilitated, and later returned to the memorial in 2010.
Monday, Sept. 11, in accordance with a 2001 law, will be Patriot Day in tribute to those who died in the attacks, and also to first responders and members of the American armed forces.