Defense Secretary General James Mattis was among U.S. leaders who spoke at the Pentagon Monday, gathered “to honor those 2,977 lives claimed by the brutal attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.”

Mattis made his remarks alongside President Donald Trump and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. during a ceremony in recognition of the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Mattis first reflected on the wide-reaching impacts of 9/11, commenting that “innocents who hailed from 90 nations and all walks of life” were attacked that day.

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“Maniacs disguised in false religious garb thought by hurting us, they could scare us that day,” Mattis continued. “But we Americans are not made of cotton candy. We are not seaweed drifting in the current. We are not intimidated by our enemies, and Mr. President, your military does not scare.”