The term "Patriot National Day of Service and Remembrance" functions grammatically as a proper noun. As a noun phrase, it serves as the specific name for the annual day of observance in the United States on September 11. This day is dedicated to remembering the 2,977 people killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and to honoring the first responders and countless others who came to the aid of the victims.
The name itself reflects the observance's dual-purpose, established through separate legislative actions. The designation "Patriot Day" was first proclaimed by President George W. Bush and signed into law on December 18, 2001 (U.S. Public Law 107-89), directing that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff. In 2009, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act amended federal law to also designate September 11 as a "National Day of Service and Remembrance," formally encouraging Americans to engage in community service and charitable activities as a tribute to the victims and heroes of that day.
In practice, the day is observed through a combination of solemn commemoration and active engagement. Federal directives require the American flag to be flown at half-staff on all U.S. government buildings and establishments. Many communities hold memorial services, often including moments of silence that coincide with the exact times the hijacked airplanes struck the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The service component is realized through nationwide volunteer projects organized by non-profits and community groups, transforming a day of tragedy into a positive call to action and national unity.
