Port of Eagle Pass Holds 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Camino Real International Bridge
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2023
The United States Border and Customs Protection (CBP) Port of Eagle Pass Director Michael Beattie hosted a solemn 22nd Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the City of Eagle Pass Camino Real International Bridge (Bridge II) on Monday, September 11, 2023, in honor of the memory of all persons who died or were injured in the triple terrorist attack upon the United States homeland national security on September 11, 2001.
On that dreadful day of September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists hijacked three commercial airplanes loaded with fuel and flew them into the majestic twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D. C., and intended to fly a third plane into the U. S. Capitol in Washington, D. C. but for the passengers courage and bravery who fought with the terrorists on the air while in flight causing it to crash in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. A total of 2,996 people were killed, including 2,977 victims and 19 terrorists. Among them were 343 New York City firefighters and paramedics, 23 New York City Police Officers, and 37 New York Port Authority Officers. A total of 3,051 children lost a parent.
CBP Port of Eagle Pass Assistant Director Pete Macias served as Master of Ceremony at the solemn remembrance ceremony. Macias sang the National Anthem, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, presented the Invocation Prayer, gave the Keynote Speech, requested a Moment of Silence in memory of the victims, sang Amazing Grace, introduced the Co-Keynote Speakers, and concluded with a Benediction Prayer.
Co-Keynote Speakers included Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr., Eagle Pass Police Chief Federico Garza, and Eagle Pass Fire Chief Manuel Mello.
Multiple law enforcement and first responder agencies participated in the ceremony, including the CBP Explorer Post, the U. S. Department of Homeland Security Color Guard, U. S. Border Patrol representatives, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) representatives, U. S. CBP representatives, Maverick County Sheriff’s Department representatives, Eagle Pass International Bridge System General Manager Homero Balderas, citizens, volunteers, and news media representatives.
The Eagle Pass Camino Real International Bridge was temporarily closed from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. to allow the ceremony be held without interruptions from traffic and the public. The ceremony was very emotional and heartbreaking.
Macias stated that America will never forget the victims of 9/11 and must constantly remain vigilant to protect our great nation’s homeland security.
