(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Mitt Romney and his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, are set to take a brief reprieve from politics on Tuesday as the nation marks the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
While Ryan will spend the day off the trail in his home state of Wisconsin, Romney will address a National Guard convention in Reno, Nev., in a speech that aides say won't be overtly political.
Ahead of his remarks, Romney released a statement remembering the victims of the 9/11 attacks, insisting, "America will never forget those who perished" and "will never stop caring for the loved ones they left behind."
"America shall remain ever vigilant against those who would do us harm. Today we again extend our most profound gratitude to our brave troops who have gone into battle, some never to return, so that we may live in peace. On this most somber day, those who would attack us should know that we are united, one nation under God, in our determination to stop them and to stand tall for peace and freedom at home and across the world."
Ryan, meanwhile, released a statement in which he spoke of seeing "the smoke rising from the fires burning in the Pentagon" from his office on Capitol Hill.
"Like all Americans, I will never forget the moment that our homeland came under attack," Ryan said. "For me, this is a day to remember those who perished on that day of terror, including the first responders. It is also a day to pay tribute to all those who have worked quietly and tirelessly both on the home front and abroad to prevent a repetition of such terrible events. And it is a day to give honor to those in our military who have sacrificed so much, including their lives, for the same end. Their courage and heroism and willingness to answer the call of duty have kept America safe and strong and free. We are truly the home of the brave."
While Barack Obama and his GOP rival John McCain made a joint appearance at the World Trade Center site four years ago, Obama and Romney will not appear together today. But as the Associated Press reported, both the Obama and Romney campaigns are taking down negative ads for the day—marking perhaps the last day of political peace between the two presidential contenders before Election Day.