Dear John,

Today marks the 21st anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks, one of the most solemn and horrific days in American history.

I think first of the families of the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on this day in 2001, all the first responders who demonstrated remarkable courage to rescue as many as they could, and the heroic passengers and crew of the flights–especially those of Flight 93 who selflessly acted to avert even greater tragedy.

I’ll never forget hearing the news about the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 coming down near Shanksville, PA. We all felt sorrow and a sense of loss–but we also united and had a sense of purpose. A feeling of duty to serve. For my buddies and me, it was our Pearl Harbor and we answered that call. And for many who wore the uniform in the years after 9/11, the costs they and their families would bear were incalculable. Some gave their lives for the wars that would follow, and many who lived still bear the scars and burden of their sacrifices.

I hope that as we look back on the last twenty-one years and this day in particular, we honor the memories of the Americans we lost. That we do justice to their sacrifice by rededicating ourselves to this country and all her promises.

America is worth fighting for.

Very respectfully,

Chris