Minnesota’s political candidates took a brief pause from the campaign trail Tuesday morning to commemorate the seventeenth anniversary of 9/11.
“Today, we both mourn and remember the tragedy of September 11. We’re reminded of those who gave everything serving and sacrificing for others. 17 years later, we remember those highest virtues displayed by Americans,” Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson tweeted.
Today, we both mourn & remember the tragedy of September 11th.
We're reminded of those who gave everything serving & sacrificing for others. 17 years later, we remember those highest virtues displayed by Americans.
We must not forget the past.
We must continue to be vigilant. pic.twitter.com/R3wQUEbuxE— Jeff Johnson (@MNJeffJohnson) September 11, 2018
His Democratic challenger, Tim Walz recalled that he was in a classroom with his students watching the events unfold on that tragic day.
“17 years ago I was in the classroom with my students as we watched reports of what was happening. I will never forget that morning and what it meant not only for my students, but our country. Today, we honor those we lost and remember our strength when we stand together,” he wrote.
17 years ago I was in the classroom with my students as we watched reports of what was happening. I will #neverforget that morning and what it meant not only for my students, but our country. Today, we honor those we lost and remember our strength when we stand together.
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) September 11, 2018
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) expressed her disbelief that it’s already “been 17 years since thousands lost their lives in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania.”
Hard to believe it’s been 17 years since thousands lost their lives in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania. Today we remember the victims, including Minnesotans Tom Burnett Jr, MSG Max Beilke, Gordy Aamoth Jr, and Gary Koecheler.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) September 11, 2018
“Today we remember the victims, including Minnesotans Tom Burnett Jr., MSG Max Beilke, Gordy Aamoth Jr., and Gary Koecheler,” she wrote, while her Republican opponent Jim Newberger reflected on “the feelings of horror” he felt that day.
“After spending 30 years as a paramedic and first responder, I can imagine the shock the men and women must have felt when they arrived at the scene of the collapsed towers,” he said. “Our country changed that day. We must never forget.”
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) joined in the conversation, saying that “today” reminds her of “what a strong, resilient country we are when we come together.”
We pause today to remember all those we lost on 9/11, those who were injured, and the courageous first responders who rushed into danger to help. Today reminds me of what a strong, resilient country we are when we come together. #NeverForget
— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) September 11, 2018
“We pause today to remember all those we lost on 9/11, those who were injured, and the courageous first responders who rushed into danger to help,” she wrote, with Republican challenger Karin Housley encouraging her followers to “never forget the sacrifices made on this day.”
President Donald Trump spoke in Pennsylvania Tuesday morning to commemorate the passengers aboard United Flight 93, who fought off hijackers aboard the plane.
“We grieve together for every mother and father, sister and brother, son and daughter, who was stolen from us at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and here in this Pennsylvania field,” Trump said. “We honor their sacrifice by pledging to never flinch in the face of evil and to do whatever it takes to keep America safe.’
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
