On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, we join the nation in pausing to remember those who died that day, to think of their families, and to pay tribute to the heroic actions of the first responders who rushed to scenes of terror without hesitation and to the daring passengers and crew who stormed a cockpit to stop a fourth plane from reaching its target.

We also honor the courage and sacrifice of all the brave men and women in the U.S. military who have served since 9/11, as well as the public servants who have worked to protect our homeland. We mourn most recently our fallen service members who died during the evacuation of Afghanistan and keep their families in our thoughts.

We must never forget that fateful September day, nor how the country came together as one in response. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will always stand ready to serve our nation and support the well-being of our veterans.

Marcia McNutt
President, National Academy of Sciences

John L. Anderson
President, National Academy of Engineering

Victor J. Dzau
President, National Academy of Medicine