Remembering 9/11
This morning I spoke at the September 11th Memorial in Methuen, and will join the communities of Amesbury and Newburyport this afternoon in remembering all of the lives lost on this day, 10 years ago.
Here is a copy of the speech I delivered in Methuen this morning:
As we remember the 10th anniversary of the day our nation was attacked by extremists who were determined to shatter our will and break our Democracy, we have much to look back upon, but even more to look forward to.
While September 11th was a tragic day in our recent history, it also serves as an opportunity for us to recognize those amongst us who are true unsung heroes and heroines, and to learn about who we are as an American people and as residents of the United States.
On September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists attacked us because of who we are and what we stand for. They sought to break the will of our Country that for over 200 years has been a beacon of Democracy for the world.
Shortly after the attacks, President George Bush said that September 11 is a memory “not only of loss and mourning; but also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew.” These words couldn’t be more true.
Today, the National September 11th Memorial and Museum will open in New York City and the Flight 93 National Memorial will open in Pennsylvania.
These Memorials serve as reminders of the almost 3,000 lives lost on this day 10 years ago.
But they also serve as reminders of the bravery, patriotism, and dedication of each and every person in this country and around the globe who came to our aid.
411 First Responders were killed responding to the attacks, and we will never forget their bravery and dedication to their jobs and the preservation of human life that would ultimately take their own.
And this also serves as a time to acknowledge and thank all of our first responders past and present; the Police, Firefighters, and EMTs who brave dangers and disasters every day to keep us safe and healthy here at home.
And it is a time to remember and acknowledge every member of the United States military who has placed his or her life on the line to defend our freedoms and democracy here and abroad. 55 military personnel lost their lives on September 11th and almost 6,000 soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation and liberties since that date.
September 11th changed the way we see ourselves, both as Americans and as the global leader of democracy, national unity, and strong resolve.
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani recognized that, “The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic and religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life. We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom.”
It is an inherent part of democracy that every view be expressed and debated. But it is also the hallmark of our great Nation that we are able to set aside all of our differences to work together to ensure the future success of the United States.
The War on Terror, the economic recession, and recent political bickering and stubbornness have all sought to divide our country and our people along ideological lines.
While steadfastness is cherished in any country, especially the world’s greatest Democracy, we should never forget the unity and strength we felt as a nation on September 11, 2001.
Such unity should not last for 1 day, 1 month or 1 year. It should last forever. We owe it to ourselves and all those who died on September 11th to continue forward as one nation and one people.
Each and every life lost is a reminder that we must continue to stand strong and unified as Americans.
It is reminder that our brave soldiers our fighting overseas to protect the freedoms we enjoy here at home.
It is a reminder that our first responders place their lives on the line every day to help and protect us.
And it is a reminder that on that day, we showed the world what it truly means to be an American. 10 years later, we must not forget that unity, and we must send a clear message to the world that we will not allow petty differences to stand in the way of working together to preserve our country. That is what it means to be an American.
