WHEREAS, twenty-three years ago, our nation experienced the loss of 2,977 individuals on September 11, 2001, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, the World Trade Center in New York City, New York, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, our military, law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, and other emergency personnel showed true heroism, and we remain forever grateful for their selfless courage in defense of our freedoms; and

WHEREAS, these attacks targeted not only American citizens but targeted the American principles and values of freedom, justice, individual liberty, and prosperity; and

WHEREAS, the loss was felt by every Virginian, but through shared suffering our citizens united to reaffirm our commitment to service, resilience, and strength; and

WHEREAS, the attacks on September 11, 2001, have permanently altered the course of our nation's history reminding us of the importance of unity and the enduring spirit of our communities; and

WHEREAS, by a joint resolution, Public Law 107-89, approved on December 18, 2001, the United States Congress designated September 11 of each year as Patriot Day, and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, Congress requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance; and

WHEREAS, from Pearl Harbor to the barracks bombing in Beirut, from the USS Cole to the World Trade Centers, Americans have consistently demonstrated resilience and an unwavering commitment to our nation's core values; and

WHEREAS, in response to the attacks, 181,510 Americans enlisted in active-duty service and 72,908 joined the enlisted reserves in the year following September 11, 2001, with many Virginians among them, reflecting a powerful sense of duty and patriotism; and

WHEREAS, since September 11, 2001, 2.7 million service members have served on 5.4 million deployments, showcasing their dedication and sacrifice for our country; and

WHEREAS, in 2023, Virginians contributed over 2.5 million hours of volunteer service, demonstrating their commitment to community and remembrance through acts of kindness and support; and

WHEREAS, with each passing year, we pay tribute to those who lost their lives, honor the memory of those who selflessly sacrificed for others, and remember those forever impacted by this tragic event; and

WHEREAS, citizens of the Commonwealth are encouraged to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities reflecting on the importance of community service, the power of resilience, and the need to educate future generations about the impact of 9/11; and

WHEREAS, we call upon Virginians to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, in honor of those killed on September 11, 2001, in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., and to engage in acts of service that strengthen our communities and embody the spirit of unity and compassion;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 11, 2024, as PATRIOT DAY: A DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.