Kamala Harris and Donald Trump both attend New York 9/11 commemoration

On Wednesday, families who lost loved ones, community leaders, officials from across the country, and emergency responders came together in New York City to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 individuals.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump were both present at the annual event, just a few hours following their heated presidential debate in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

Joe Biden, the president of the United States, was joined by Kamala Harris, who is his vice president and the Democratic candidate for the upcoming presidential election this November. This follows Biden's decision to cease his re-election campaign in July after a poorly received debate against Trump.

Biden and Harris marked the anniversary of the al-Qaida attacks on the United States by planning visits to the three locations where planes were hijacked and crashed in 2001: the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon close to Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania.

Trump was present at the event in New York along with his Republican partner, JD Vance. He and Harris exchanged handshakes accompanied by forced smiles before they both lined up seriously for the ceremony.

While the September 11 memorial events are deeply significant and respectful, free from political bias, each election season brings a heightened sense of tension to these occasions. On Wednesday, many were watching closely to see how Harris and Trump would engage with each other.

On Tuesday evening, Harris intentionally walked across the stage before the debate started and reached out her hand to Trump, introducing herself since they had never met face-to-face, prompting Trump to shake her hand.

Following the handshake at the memorial and a quick conversation between the two presidential hopefuls, Harris took her place to Biden's right. Former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg stood between Biden and Trump, while Vance positioned himself on Trump's left.

Notably absent from the main group was the current mayor of New York, Eric Adams, whose administration is currently involved in federal inquiries.

Harris made her way to New York shortly after many polls indicated that she had emerged victorious in the debate against the Republican presidential nominee in Philadelphia. This comes with only eight weeks remaining until the presidential election on November 5.

There were no planned speeches from politicians at the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan, often referred to as Ground Zero. Instead, family members took turns reading the names of their loved ones who lost their lives.

Biden and Harris were set to travel to Shanksville, the site where passengers on United Flight 93 fought off hijackers, leading to the plane crashing in a field and avoiding further destruction. After that, they planned to return to the Washington area to pay their respects at the Pentagon memorial.

The attack claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 individuals, with over 2,750 casualties in New York City, 184 at the Pentagon, and 40 in Shanksville. This count does not include the 13 hijackers who were responsible for the attacks and also lost their lives.

"We can only envision the sorrow and anguish that the families and survivors of 9/11 have experienced daily for the last 23 years. We will forever remember and pay tribute to those we lost far too early," stated White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to reporters on Air Force One on Tuesday evening.

"We are committed to doing everything we can to prevent a similar attack from occurring in the future," she stated.

Biden released a statement paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the attacks, along with the countless Americans who stepped up to serve in the military in the aftermath.

Biden expressed that we have an unpayable debt of gratitude to the heroes of the 9/11 generation. He highlighted their service in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other conflict areas, as well as the successful operation that led to the capture and death of Osama bin Laden and his second-in-command.

On Tuesday, U.S. congressional leaders honored 13 service members who lost their lives in the suicide bombing at Kabul's airport on August 26, 2021. This recognition, the congressional gold medal, was awarded posthumously during the tumultuous evacuation from Afghanistan.

In New York, the atmosphere was charged with political tensions, even though the occasion is officially recognized as a non-partisan remembrance.

"You find yourself surrounded by others who are experiencing the same sorrow and pride. It's a day dedicated to remembering what your loved ones meant to you, rather than a political statement," shared Melissa Tarasiewicz, who lost her father, Allan Tarasiewicz, a firefighter in New York City.

More and more, tributes given in New York and the reading of names of those who lost their lives are being presented by kids and young adults who were born after the attacks that claimed their parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle.

"Although I never had the chance to meet you, it feels like I've known you my whole life," Annabella Sanchez expressed last year when speaking about her grandfather, Edward Joseph Papa. "We will keep your memory alive and celebrate you every single day. We love you, Grandpa Eddie."

A heartfelt sentiment is being expressed increasingly by those who have lost loved ones: "I never had the chance to know you."

It's a sign of a shift in generations. Some of the names being announced are from kids or young adults who were born after the attacks. During last year's event, there were 28 young individuals among over 140 readers. More young participants are anticipated at this year's ceremony on Wednesday.

Some of the young readers are the children of victims whose partners were expecting a baby. Many others are the nieces, nephews, or grandchildren of these victims. They carry with them family stories, photographs, and a deep sense of duty.

Being part of a "9/11 family" impacts future generations, and the task of remembering and making sense of the September 11 attacks will eventually fall to a world that has no direct memories of that day.

"It's like you're handing over the responsibility," remarks 13-year-old Allan Aldycki. He spoke the names of his grandfather, Allan Tarasiewicz, along with a few others.

Reporting was contributed by Reuters and the Associated Press.