John,

Today marks the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, one of the darkest and most solemn days in our nation’s history.

We mourn the nearly 3,000 lives lost, and we honor their loved ones and the brave first responders who rushed into danger. I also hold in my heart the passengers and crew of Flight 93, who showed extraordinary courage here in Pennsylvania, preventing an even greater tragedy and leaving behind a lasting legacy of American heroism.

After watching this country suffer under al Qaeda’s attacks that day, I felt a strong sense of duty and purpose. That’s a big part of why I headed off to the Naval Academy the following year, setting me on a course to serve in uniform that would take me on three deployments as an officer.

Stepping up to serve after our country was attacked was an easy choice for me: the values of patriotism and service run deep in our bones in Western Pennsylvania. We are a proud people, who have given this country a lot, and so many from our corner of the country gave their lives in the wars that followed that fateful day in September 2001.

I hope that we as a country always honor those sacrifices, and that we rededicate ourselves to this country and all her promises—because America is worth fighting for.

Sincerely,

Chris Deluzio