Each year the Missouri City Exchange Club members honors our fellow first responders with a venerated luncheon and ceremony at the Quail Valley Golf & Community Centre’ for Patriot Day in memory of the lost souls September 11, 2001.  Honored guest included the Mayor of Missouri City and officials, respected Chiefs of the Missouri City  and Ft Bend Co., Fire Depts., Police and Sheriff’s Depts, and guest speaker Trever Nehls.

In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, carried out by terrorists from Al Qaeda, President George W. Bush proclaimed Friday, September 14, 2001, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001. A bill to make September 11 a National Day of Mourning was introduced in the U.S. House on October 25, 2001, by Rep. Vito Fossella (R-NY) with 22 co-sponsors. The result was the resolution to proclaim September 11, 2002, as the first Patriot Day.

From 2009 to 2016, President Barack Obama proclaimed September 11 as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, in observance of Pub.L. 111–13 (text) (pdf), the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. In 2017, President Donald Trump proclaimed September 8–10 as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance and proclaimed September 11 as Patriot Day.

Observance on Sept 11

In Washington, D.C., three American flags fly at half-mast on Columbus Circle (outside of Union Station) on Patriot Day 2013. The flags of several US states and territories can be seen also flying at half-mast in the background.

The flag of the United States is flown at half-staff at the White House and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments throughout the world; Americans are also encouraged to display flags in and outside their homes. Additionally, a moment of silence is observed to correspond with the attacks, beginning at 8:46 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time), the time the first plane, American Airlines Flight 11, struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Patriot Day is not a federal holiday; schools and businesses remain open in observance of the occasion, although memorial ceremonies for the 2,977 victims are often held. Volunteer and service opportunities are coordinated by the Corporation for National and Community Service.