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I had the honor of speaking at this morning’s September 11th 25th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony organized by the Corona Chamber Foundation. As a community, we united once again to remember those who tragically lost their lives and give thanks to the heroes.
Twenty-five years ago today, I woke up in Washington, D.C. for what I thought would be a normal day in our nation’s capital. Within hours, our country would be forever changed.
2,977 souls were lost. Our financial and government institutions at the World Trade Center and Pentagon were horrifically attacked. The staggering loss of life was devastating. In those early hours and days, the heartbreak combined with a newfound sense of vulnerability from witnessing such shocking evil imposed by just a small number of terrorists.
Despite the shock and sorrow, Americans rose to the occasion, like we have in other times of national tragedy and threats to our way of life.
When we remember September 11th, we honor the victims we lost. We also celebrate the heroes.
We give thanks to the brave firemen, police officers and first responders who rushed into the burning buildings putting themselves at risk to save others.
We are forever indebted to the ordinary Americans aboard Flight 93, who learned of the terrorists plot midair and decided to fight back. While the evil monsters who hijacked the plane were willing to die to kill Americans, the heroes on Flight 93 were willing to die to save Americans. That is the stark difference between us and our enemies.
Americans didn’t need to be told to help each other that day. It wasn’t mandated by the government. It came natural to them. That American spirt, the bonds that link us together, was on full display in every community across America in the days and weeks that followed. It was evident in neighbors caring for each other, opening their homes to those stranded when planes were grounded, and grieving together when it came time to lay Americans to rest. Even the simple gesture of displaying an American flag became a unifying act that sent a message to the world that while our country was wounded, we would prevail.
Today, we carry on that tradition by coming together 25 years later to remember those we lost and to renew our commitment to that American spirit that unites us regardless of our politics, race, or religion. I truly believe far more unites us than divides us.
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