President Trump Honors 9/11 Heroes and Renews America’s Vow to Never Forget

President Trump joined first responders, Gold Star families, and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at an event featuring a 21-foot steel beam from the South Tower's wreckage, marking the approach of 9/11's 25th anniversary. Key moments: Medal of Freedom: Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther, the "Man in the Red Bandana," who rescued trapped survivors on the 78th floor before dying in the attacks. His mother and sister accepted on his behalf. Coast Guard tribute: A new Fast Response Cutter will be commissioned in honor of Jeffrey Palazzo, an FDNY firefighter and Coast Guard reservist who died with Rescue Squad 5 while helping others escape. Remembrance themes: Trump reflected on the scale of loss (nearly 3,000 killed, 175,000 tons of steel and concrete destroyed) and framed the recovered steel beam as a symbol of American resilience and unity. Casualty toll cited: 23 NYPD officers, 37 Port Authority Police officers, three Court officers, and 343 FDNY firefighters died that day. Looking ahead: Trump and Vice President Vance plan to visit the attack sites on Friday, September 11, for the 25th anniversary commemorations.