On September 11, 2011, President Barack Obama did a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon, observing the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks. After laying the wreath, he went around the crowd, consoling and talking to the families of those who died at the Pentagon.

The U.S. Navy Band Brass Quartet supported this ceremony. We played contemplative music throughout. John Schroeder (leader of the quartet at this time), and I played trumpet. Phil Eberly was on euphonium and Tony Halloin played tuba. After the wreath was laid, we played “Amazing Grace,” “America,” Sibelius’ “Finlandia,” Mozart’s “Priest’s Chorus” from the Magic Flute, Holst’s hymn Thaxted from Jupiter, Hindemith’s Morgenmusik, Samuel Wesley’s hymn Aurelia, then a Bach chorale, and then finally a spiritual “Were you There?”

Here is the CSPAN video of the ceremony