The White House Blog: The President

Marking the Eleventh Anniversary of 9/11

President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stand during the playing of Taps during the September 11th Observance Ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Va., Sept. 11, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today, President Obama and the First Lady marked the eleventh anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

They began the day at the White House, observing a moment of silence on the South Lawn just after 8:45 a.m., around the time the first plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center. Afterward, they traveled to the Pentagon, where the President spoke at a memorial service in honor of those who died there, as well as in New York and Pennsylvania.

This anniversary allows us to renew our faith that even the darkest night gives way to a brighter dawn. Today, we can come here to the Pentagon, and touch these names and kneel beside a building where a single stone still bears the scars of that fire. We can visit the field of honor in Pennsylvania and remember the heroes who made it sacred.  We can see water cascading into the footprints of the Twin Towers, and gaze up at a new tower rising above the New York skyline. 

And even though we may never be able to fully lift the burden carried by those left behind, we know that somewhere, a son is growing up with his father’s eyes, and a daughter has her mother’s laugh -- living reminders that those who died are with us still.

President Obama Meets with Victims of Hurricane Isaac

President Barack Obama is surrounded by local and federal officials as he delivers a statement on the ongoing response and recovery efforts to Hurricane Isaac in LaPlace, Louisiana, Sept. 3, 2012. Standing with the President from left were FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Rep. Jeff Landry, Rep. Cedric Richmond, Saint John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom, Sen. David Vitter, Sheriff Mike Tregre, Sen. Mary Landrieu and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama yesterday made his way to St. John's Parish in Louisiana to take in the damage from Hurricane Isaac and meet with officials responding to the disaster.

The President highlighted the “extraordinary work” done by local first responders who worked around the clock to rescue residents stranded by high water in a place that hadn't flooded in 17 years.

"Some of the folks that we just walked by literally had to be saved by boat. They were in their homes, trapped. The waters came in so quickly," he said. "But because of the great work of law enforcement, National Guard, Coast Guard, making sure that folks were out in rescue mode rapidly, even in some cases at risk of their own lives, no lives were lost."

President Obama Speaks to Troops at Fort Bliss

Watch President Obama speak to the troops.

Two years after his visit to Fort Bliss that marked the end of the combat mission in Iraq, President Obama returned there today to speak to the troops, and discuss his commitment to standing by those who served as the nation winds down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Now, when I was here last, I made you a pledge.  I said that, as President, I will insist that America serves you and your families as well as you've served us.  And there again, I meant what I said.  Because part of ending wars responsibly is caring for those who fought in it.  That’s why I wanted to come back to Bliss on this anniversary to reaffirm our solemn obligations to you and your families.You see, we may be turning a page on a decade of war, but America's responsibilities to you have only just begun.

“Just as we give you the best equipment and technology on the battlefield,” the President said, “we need to give you the best care and support when you come home.” This includes continuing the efforts underway to strengthen and expand health care and mental health care service for troops, particularly for veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD, and providing resources to help returning service members get the education, training, and support they need to transition back into the civilian workforce. It also means giving our military families the respect and the support that they deserve.

West Wing Week: 8/31/12 or, "It's Summer Mailbag Time!"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. It's the summer's special Mailbag Edition of West Wing Week, featuring Elizabeth Olson, Director of Presidential Correspondence.  This week we're taking a moment to pick out a few of your letters from the thousands that arrive everyday here at the White House and answer some of your questions on immigration, healthcare, and the economy.  That's August 24th to August 30th or, "It's Summer Mailbag Time!"

First, we went over to the National Economic Council to see Deputy Director, Brian Deese, who answered some of your letters about the economy.

Then we went over to the Domestic Policy Council to talk with Cecilia Muñoz about some of the letters she'd read about healthcare reform and the new deferred action process.

Watch the West Wing Week here.

Tuesday, August 28th:

• The President made a statement about preparedness for the arrival of Hurricane Isaac.

Thursday, August 30th:

• We sat down with Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes, who spoke about the upcoming two year anniversary of the end of the war in Iraq for 'The Rhodes Ahead.'

Related Links:

• President Obama Discusses Preparations for Tropical Storm Isaac

• The Rhodes Ahead: Second Anniversary of the End of the Combat Mission in Iraq