Friend,

25 Years.

Twenty-five years ago, our nation suffered a tragedy. Thousands of lives were lost. Millions more were changed forever — including mine.

I remember driving to work when the news broke that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Then came word of the second plane, and we all knew: this was no accident. America was under attack.

Shortly after 9/11, I joined the Air Force. I wanted to give back to a country that had given me so much... a country worth defending. 

Twenty-five years ago, our way of life and our democracy came under attack. And twenty-five years ago, we did something remarkable: we set aside our differences, we set aside our politics, and we came together. We agreed, as one country, that defending democracy matters.

Twenty-five years later, it still does.

Today, let's remember the fallen. Let's remember the heroes who ran into the towers to save lives, when every instinct told them to run the other way. If you know someone who lost a parent, a sibling, a relative, or a friend on that day, keep them in your thoughts because that grief will never fully pass. 

And no matter what's happening in our busy lives — in our politics, our culture, our daily noise — let's all agree on one thing:

Never forget.

Adam Kinzinger
Founder, Country First