Moment of silence reflects on 9/11 tragedy

San Diego — National Safety Council President and CEO Lorraine M. Martin led a moment of silence to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, prior to Wednesday’s Leadership Keynote at the NSC 2019 Congress & Expo.

A former officer in the U.S. Air Force, Martin called on attendees to pause and reflect on the lives of the victims and first responders who perished in the attacks, as well as survivors and the “countless others whose lives will never be the same.”

Addressing the crowd before introducing speaker Jim Carroll, Martin cited the profound impact the event has on the country’s history.

“We have to look back to move forward,” Martin said.

The 89th NSC Congress & Expo took place a little more than a week after the attacks, Sept. 21-28, 2001. Subsequent events in Chicago (2003) and New Orleans (2004) also overlapped with the anniversary of the tragedy.

NSC paid additional tribute to those affected by the attacks during Monday’s Opening Session by recognizing 9/11 survivor Troy Armstead, a retired safety professional and Air Force veteran who was serving at the Pentagon at the time.