Des Moines, Iowa — It’s been 18 years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the suspected foiled attack on Washington that was stopped when passengers struggled with the hijackers aboard United Airlines Flight 93, which then crashed in Pennsylvania.
The day was named “Patriot Day” in December 2001.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset this Wednesday, September 11, 2019, in honor of Patriot Day and in memory of those who lost their lives in the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.
Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.
Additionally, US Code calls on the people of the United States to observe a moment of silence on this same day.
In his proclamation, President Trump has written, “On Patriot Day, we solemnly remember the nearly 3,000 people who perished on September 11, 2001. With gratitude, we honor the brave first responders, resolute members of our military, and ordinary Americans who showed extraordinary courage to save others on that fateful day. We will always be grateful for the heroic men and women of our Armed Forces who fought in defense of our country in the aftermath of the largest terrorist attack on American soil, and we will never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our liberty and freedom.”
