Trump honors 9/11 victims at the Ellipse, pledging to 'never forget'

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump honored the victims of the 9/11 attacks by pledging to "never forget." The event, held at the Ellipse near the White House, featured a massive steel beam salvaged from the World Trade Center's South Tower. This beam, part of the Steel Across America tour, will make its way through New York City, retracing the route of fallen firefighter Stephen Siller.

Trump emphasized the resilience of the American spirit, stating that the steel beam epitomizes the nation's strength in the face of adversity. The president specifically honored two victims, firefighter Jeffrey Palazzo and trader Welles Crowther, whom he referred to as the "man in the red bandanna" for rescuing others during the attacks.

Crowther's mother and sister accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom on his behalf. Top officials and Congress members attended the ceremony, which marked the beginning of a week-long series of commemorations culminating in events at the Pentagon and Shanksville. Trump praised Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for rebuilding Cantor Fitzgerald, which lost over 650 employees in the attacks, and noted the significant contributions Lutnick has made to the families of the victims.

The steel beam at the Ellipse served as a powerful reminder of the heroism displayed on that fateful day, according to Frank Siller, the foundation's chairman and CEO.