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John, Today marks 25 years since the horrific attack on our country that has defined so much of the new century.

It's a day to memorialize those who were lost. It's a day to honor the first responders who rushed into fire and rubble to rescue strangers. And it's a day to remember that the unity of purpose so many Americans felt in the aftermath of 9/11 must be our north star.

I felt a call to service in the wake of the attacks. I left my job at a small bank to work in national security. My background in economics helped me land a role in counterterrorism at the State Department, tracking terrorist finance networks and studying how to disrupt them.

This was the start of what would be more than 20 years of work that grappled with the realities of a post-9/11 world.

I met countless public servants throughout these years with courage, decency, determination, and a steadfast belief that our country didn't have to choose between maintaining its core values and taking on new threats in a changing world.

And in the course of serving multiple administrations, I saw how dumb games, politics, and grandstanding can lead to knee-jerk decisions that put our troops in harm's way and make our country less safe.

But through all the ups and downs of the last 25 years, there's been a constant: the unbreakable spirit of the American people. We are always there to help a loved one, friend, or neighbor when the chips are down.

As we continue to grapple with the losses on that day — and how our country changed in the years that followed — we've never lost faith in each other. Service can take many forms, and I know that we can still be called to service when we're most needed.

No matter what challenges remain, that gives me hope for the future.

Sincerely,

Chris Backemeyer

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Backemeyer for Nebraska

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Lincoln, NE 68506

United States

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