Eagle Pass Port of Entry CBP Hosts 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
As an international port of entry along the United States-Mexico border, Eagle Pass plays a strategic national homeland defense role within the United States similarly to New York City where two hijacked commercial airplanes by terrorists smashed into the two World Trade Center towers on a beautiful blue sky autumn day in America.
The Eagle Pass Port of Entry U. S. Customs and Border Protection Field Operations Office under the direction of CBP Port Director Pete Beattie hosted a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on September 11, 2026 to honor the 25th Anniversay of the more than 2,977 brave men and women Americans who perished in the three terrorist attacks upon the United States Homeland Security on that fateful day, including the two airplanes in New York City, one airplane at the Pentagon in Washington, D. C., and another airplane destined for the White House in Washington, D. C. that was commandeered by 40 courageous men and women passengers in mid-flight that crashed in a rural field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Eagle Pass CBP Deputy Port Director Pete Macias commenced the dignified 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on September 11 at 7:15 A.M. sharp. Macias served as the Master of Ceremonies with his strong baritone voice crackling through the early sunrise on the steps of the City of Eagle Pass Camino Real International Bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas, welcoming the more than 300 guests in attendance.
CBP Officer Jose Jimenez opened the grand historical ceremony with an Invocation Prayer. Following the invocation, Macias introduced the distinguished guests on the dais, including Eagle Pass Port of Entry Director Pete Beattie, Mexican Consul Vivian Juarez Mondragon, Mayor Aaron Valdez, City Council members Billy Davis and Jessica Rey Ramon, Sheriff Tom Schmerber, State Representative Eddie Morales’ Assistant Sonia Moreno, and other dignitaries.
The CBP Color Guard presented the colors followed by an emotional national anthem sung by Macias. CBP Port Director Pete Beattie presented a brief historical summary of the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks and the establishment of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security as a result of this tragedy. Beattie noted that the 9/11 ceremony was to honor the liberty, honor, and integrity of those persons who lost their lives as well as those who continue to answer the call to duty. A moment of silence was observed by the CBP Color Guard and all in attendance. The CBP Color Guard solemnly lowered the U. S. American Flag from the Port of Eagle Pass Flagpole as Bugler and CBP Officer Jose Regalado played a heartfelt and emotional Taps during the lowering of the American flag.
The CBP Color Guard then folded the lowered American flag and replaced it with a new flag. The 9/11 American flag was presented to CBP Port Director Pete Beattie by the Color Guard as the bright sunrise shined upon the ceremony. Macias followed with a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace in honor of the fallen Americans during the 9/11 attack while the Color Guard retired the colors of the 9/11 American flag. CBP Officer Tony Garcia called out the Color Guard orders during the ceremony. Macias proceeded to deliver a solemn speech on the significance of 9/11 in American history while a CBP Helicopter did a fly-by over the ceremony, emphasizing the purpose of the ceremony is to honor the fallen American heroes and those who continue serving defending the U. S. Homeland security. CBP Officer Jose Jimenez presented a benediction before the end of the ceremony, requesting divine assistance to protect the American homeland.
The CBP Color Guard then retired the colors from the Port of Entry to conclude the ceremony.
Multiple law enforcement agencies and guests attended the historical 9/11 ceremony, including CBP, U. S. Border Patrol, CBP Post Explorers, Eagle Pass Fire Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and others. The Eagle Pass Fire Department hosted a giant size American flag during the ceremony aboard its Ladder Fire Engine truck. Macias concluded the ceremony reminding all guests to never forget the names of the fallen American heroes and the brave men and women who continue to answer the call of duty to defend the American homeland security. We Shall Never Forget!
