President Obama Participates in September 11 Observance Ceremony

In this photograph, taken by Pete Souza on September 11, 2014, President Barack Obama listens to the national anthem with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs, during the September 11th Observance Ceremony at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. In 2002, President George W. Bush designated September 11th as Patriot Day, a time that has been recognized through presidential proclamations as a national day of remembrance, prayer, and service. Presidents and first ladies typically commemorate the day through moment of silence observations on the White House South Lawn, and by attending remembrance ceremonies at sites affected by the terrorist attacks.