McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez spoke Monday morning at McAllen's 9/11 ceremony held at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.

"If they could be here today, their deaths are not in vain, their deaths brought us together as a country," Rodriguez said.

First responders and veterans came together to remember their fellow service members who sacrificed their lives to save those in the burning Twin Towers in New York and at the Pentagon 22 years ago. 

"If 9/11 was intended to break us down, it didn't. It failed and every year that we think and celebrate, and we observe the 9/11 event we are celebrating our unity," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez believes following that attack, the United States became stronger.

He adds ceremonies to show the perseverance as a country to overcome the pain and suffering and come together as a unified whole.

Watch the entire ceremony below.