Seven years ago, a beautiful late-summer morning was suddenly transformed into one of unimaginable horror. We pause to remember those whose lives were taken on that terrible day. This solemn anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, is dedicated to the deepest human emotions of loss, of sacrifice, and of resolve. In Maine, we remember Robert and Jackie Norton of Lubec, a retired couple who boarded Flight 11 to celebrate a son’s wedding on the West Coast. We remember James Roux of Portland, an Army veteran and a devoted father, a passenger on Flight 175 on his way to a business meeting in California. We remember Robert Schlegel of Gray who was celebrating his recent promotion to the rank of Commander in the United States Navy, and settling into his new office at the Pentagon, believed to be the point of impact of Flight 77.
We remember each of the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day; lives of accomplishment, contribution, and promise. Each loss leaves a wound in the hearts of families and friends that can never be fully healed.
We are still moved by the selfless courage of men and women on Flight 93 who wrestled that plane to the ground, sacrificing their lives so that others might live. We are inspired by the firefighters and police officers at the World Trade Center who continued to climb upward to rescue fellow citizens even as the Twin Towers were coming down. We pay tribute to the first responders, the military personnel, and the civilians who rushed into the smoke and flames at the Pentagon to lead others to safety. We express our gratitude to those who have given so much to defend our nation against terrorism, the men and women of our armed forces.
September 11th was not just a day of personal tragedy. It was an attack on the United States, an attack on freedom, an attack on civilization. We must never forget what was lost, and what remains at stake. The fundamental obligation of government is to protect its people. Since September 11th, we have done much to meet that obligation.
We have taken many steps to secure our nation. None was easily taken. All were accompanied by controversy, conflict, and differences of opinion. Yet, when we worked together in a bipartisan manner, we achieved progress. I am committed to continuing the progress that has made our nation safer.
We remember each of the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day; lives of accomplishment, contribution, and promise. Each loss leaves a wound in the hearts of families and friends that can never be fully healed.
We are still moved by the selfless courage of men and women on Flight 93 who wrestled that plane to the ground, sacrificing their lives so that others might live. We are inspired by the firefighters and police officers at the World Trade Center who continued to climb upward to rescue fellow citizens even as the Twin Towers were coming down. We pay tribute to the first responders, the military personnel, and the civilians who rushed into the smoke and flames at the Pentagon to lead others to safety. We express our gratitude to those who have given so much to defend our nation against terrorism, the men and women of our armed forces.
September 11th was not just a day of personal tragedy. It was an attack on the United States, an attack on freedom, an attack on civilization. We must never forget what was lost, and what remains at stake. The fundamental obligation of government is to protect its people. Since September 11th, we have done much to meet that obligation.
We have taken many steps to secure our nation. None was easily taken. All were accompanied by controversy, conflict, and differences of opinion. Yet, when we worked together in a bipartisan manner, we achieved progress. I am committed to continuing the progress that has made our nation safer.
