John,
Americans still recall the horrible, gut-wrenching events and images from Sept. 11th, 2001.
22 years later we continue to mourn the lives lost on 9/11 and honor the heroes whose bravery awed us then and inspires us today - like those of United Flight 93 who attacked their hijackers; like the first responders who rushed toward the danger; and our military heroes who have fought and all too often died to keep us safe.
A lesson learned from that fateful day was how unstoppable America can become when we’re united and how debilitating it is when we’re not.
Even before the day was done on 9/11, the powerful seeds of unity began growing and armed with the might that American unity brings, we cleared away the rubble, rebuilt our structures, stabilized our economy, and crushed our adversaries.
Unfortunately, we see the exact opposite today. Our country is afflicted with extraordinary disunity, and our federal government is riddled with dysfunction, making it difficult to accomplish much of anything.
But there is hope, and it lies in the spirit of the American people, which was on vivid display as America responded to 9/11. The fundamental American values of freedom, opportunity, ethical institutions, the rule of law, and an environment where all voices may be heard still form the bedrock on which common ground may be found and an unlimited American future can be built.
That is our American birthright, which we can reclaim if, like the 9/11 generation and many before it, we’re willing to nurture, protect, and fight for it.
We must reclaim the unity Americans felt after 9/11, and we must never forget.
- John Rose
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