We Remember 9/11

"In every generation, the world has produced enemies of human freedom. They have attacked America, because we are freedom's home and defender. And the commitment of our fathers is now the calling of our time."       -George W. Bush

We pause this weekend to remember the lives that were lost on that Tuesday morning in September 2001.  We pause to remember their families and friends, whose lives were changed forever.  We pause to remember the heroic men and women of the FDNY, NYPD, and the Port Authority who courageously gave their lives that others might live.  We pause to remember the many military men and women whose lives were changed on that day when our nation set out to preserve freedom and fight terrorism.  We pause to remember the men and women of the military that gave the ultimate sacrifice--their lives--fighting terrorism.

And tonight a few miles from the damaged Pentagon, I have a message for our military: Be ready. I have called the armed forces to alert, and there is a reason.

The hour is coming when America will act, and you will make us proud.
This is not, however, just America's fight. And what is at stake is not just America's freedom.
This is the world's fight. This is civilization's fight. This is the fight of all who believe in progress and pluralism, tolerance and freedom.     -George W. Bush

We pause to remember the diligent work of our military that has ensured our freedom and safety here at home.  With grateful hearts we thank them for ten years free of terror attacks on U.S. soil.  We also thank them for courageously bringing freedom and democracy to Iraq, stability to Afghanistan, and  justice to Osama bin Laden.

"The secret of our strength, the miracle of America, is that our greatness lies not in our government, but in the spirit and determination of our people."  -George W. Bush

It is fitting and necessary to pause and remember, but it is our American spirit and determination that then focuses us on what lies ahead.