25 years after the terrorist attacks, the new national commander says ‘we must always remember what occurred’ while praising first responders.
As American Legion National Commander Jay Bowen’s travel schedule was being prepared, he had one request for Sept. 11, 2026: to be in New York City.
“I don’t like to call this an anniversary because that suggests a happy occasion,” Bowen said. “This is a solemn remembrance. A quarter-century has passed but we must always remember what occurred. We owe it to the nearly 3,000 innocent people who were murdered that day.”
Bowen attended a service this morning at the Fireman’s Memorial for 9/11 in Manhattan. He followed it by paying respect at the 9/11 Reflecting Pool and 9/11 Memorial, located at the footprints of where the World Trade Center once stood.
“I am accustomed to meeting many brave veterans,” Bowen said of the visits. “Over the years I have been blessed by spending time with Medal of Honor recipients and servicemembers whose valor was unrecognized by medals or official commendations. But what 9/11 has shown us is that valor does not belong exclusively to those wearing military uniforms. The sacrifices made by first responders are just as meaningful and exceptional. The extraordinary actions by ordinary citizens, from airline passengers to office workers, are inspirational to all Americans.”
A retired Army veteran, Bowen said the events of 9/11 only reinforced the wisdom behind The American Legion’s commitment to national defense, one of the organization’s four founding pillars. He also called for a resurgence of the patriotic spirit that occurred throughout the country in the days following the attack.
“Scripture tells us that ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,’” he said. “On Sept. 11, 2001, many people who had never met each other were friends. We shall never forget them.”
- Commander