The keyword phrase "patriot day ending" functions as a noun phrase. In this context, "Patriot Day" is a proper noun referring to the annual observance on September 11th, and "ending" acts as a gerund (or present participle used as a noun) modifying "Patriot Day," signifying the conclusion or close of this particular day.
Patriot Day, officially designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, does not possess a prescribed or ritualized "ending" in the manner that some holidays might have a specific closing ceremony or tradition. Unlike festivals that conclude with a final event, the observance of Patriot Day is primarily characterized by solemn remembrance, moments of silence, flag displays at half-staff, and various memorial services that typically occur throughout the daylight hours of September 11th. The "ending" of Patriot Day, therefore, refers simply to the natural conclusion of the calendar day itself, as it transitions into September 12th. There are no official federal or widely recognized private ceremonies that specifically mark the close of the day's observances.
Consequently, the "ending" of Patriot Day is not defined by a specific event or ceremonial act, but rather by the passage of time. The day's significance, rooted in honoring the victims and first responders of the September 11, 2001, attacks, is intended to resonate beyond the 24-hour period. Its impact is measured not by a formal conclusion, but by the ongoing commitment to national unity, remembrance, and acts of service that are encouraged to extend throughout the year.
