Former President George W. Bush led a moment of silence at his presidential library in Dallas on Monday.
Monday, Sept. 11, marked 22 years since the 9/11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. that killed 2,977 people.
Bush briefly joined staff and museum guests at his George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas at about 8:30 a.m.
"Thank you all for coming. Tough day for a lot of people so why don't we have a moment of silence to pray for those who lost a loved one and to thank those who rescued many who got trapped," Bush said, before bowing his head for about 20 seconds. "Thank you very much for being here. I appreciate it."
Get top local stories in DFW delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC DFW's News Headlines newsletter.
Bush, of course, was president on Sept. 11, 2001, and led the national response to the terrorist attack. A portion of the museum contains exhibits memorializing the moment in history.
Twisted steel beams from the World Trade Center are surrounded by the names of the 3,000 people killed on 9/11.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Among the artifacts are the bullhorn used by the president when he visited the site of the World Trade Center.
For two retired school teachers in the crowd Monday, the president's remarks were a reminder of the nation's collective grief.
"It's terrible," recalled Carolyn Hinton. "How we felt. I was in the counselor's office when the Pentagon was hit and I just felt like the world was coming to an end. And it just comes all right back to you. You can still smell the day."
Inspired by President Bush and the resolve of the American people, Hinton now volunteers once a week at the Bush library to make sure names on the wall are never forgotten.
"I talk to so many people that know a name on the wall, or their name should be a name on the wall, it's very personal," Hinton said. "I just think if they're not remembered then they died in vain."
Retired teacher Pat Spikes remembers how unusual it felt outside after the FAA ordered flights to be grounded.
"It was so eerie because we live in the path of Southwest Airlines and there were no planes in the sky. It was just totally eerie," Spikes said. "Don't take this lightly. It was a day that changed the path of American forever."
Hinton and Spikes both hope younger generations will visit the Bush Library to learn the stories of service and sacrifice.
"I want people to remember it. They should remember it," said Hinton. "In two hours our world changed forever."
