THE PRESIDENT: Secretary Panetta, General Dempsey, members of our
Armed Forces, and most importantly, to the families --survivors and
loved ones -- of those we lost, Michelle and I are humbled to join you
again on this solemn anniversary.
Today we remember a day that began like so many others. There were
rides to school and commutes to work, early flights and familiar
routines, quick hugs and quiet moments. It was a day like this one -- a
clear blue sky, but a sky that would soon be filled with clouds of
smoke and prayers of a nation shaken to its core.
Even now, all these years later, it is easy for those of us who lived
through that day to close our eyes and to find ourselves back there --
and back here -- back when grief crashed over us like an awful wave,
when Americans everywhere held each other tight, seeking the reassurance
that the world we knew wasn’t crumbling under our feet.
Eleven times we have marked another September 11th come and gone.
Eleven times, we have paused in remembrance, in reflection, in unity and
in purpose.
This is never an easy day. But it is especially difficult for all of
you -- the families of nearly 3,000 innocents who lost their lives --
your mothers and fathers, your husbands and wives, your sons and your
daughters. They were taken from us suddenly and far too soon.
To you and your families, the rest of us cannot begin to imagine the
pain you've endured these many years. We will never fully understand
how difficult it has been for you to carry on, to summon that strength
and to rebuild your lives.
But no matter how many years pass, no matter how many times we come
together on this hallowed ground, know this -- that you will never be
alone. Your loved ones will never be forgotten. They will endure in
the hearts of our nation, because through their sacrifice, they helped
us make the America we are today -- an America that has emerged even
stronger.
Most of the Americans we lost that day had never considered the
possibility that a small band of terrorists halfway around the world
could do us such harm. Most had never heard the name al Qaeda. And
yet, it's because of their sacrifice that we've come together and dealt a
crippling blow to the organization that brought evil to our shores. Al
Qaeda's leadership has been devastated and Osama bin Laden will never
threaten us again. Our country is safer and our people are resilient.
It’s true that the majority of those who died on September 11th had
never put on our country’s uniform. And yet, they inspired more than 5
million Americans -- members of the 9/11 Generation -- to wear that
uniform over the last decade. These men and women have done everything
that we have asked.
Today, the war in Iraq is over. In Afghanistan, we’re training Afghan
security forces and forging a partnership with the Afghan people. And
by the end of 2014, the longest war in our history will be over.
Meanwhile, countless civilians have opened their hearts to our troops,
our military families and our veterans.
Eleven years ago, memorial services were held for Americans of
different races and creeds, backgrounds and beliefs. And yet, instead
of turning us against each other, tragedy has brought us together. I've
always said that our fight is with al Qaeda and its affiliates, not
with Islam or any other religion. This country was built as a beacon of
freedom and tolerance. That’s what's made us strong, now and forever.
And, finally, when those innocent souls were taken from us they left
behind unfulfilled work and tasks that remain undone. And that’s why,
on a day when others sought to bring this country down, we choose to
build it up with a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Scripture tells us "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with
good." There's no better way to honor the best in those who died than
by discovering the best in ourselves.
This anniversary allows us to renew our faith that even the darkest
night gives way to a brighter dawn. Today, we can come here to the
Pentagon, and touch these names and kneel beside a building where a
single stone still bears the scars of that fire. We can visit the field
of honor in Pennsylvania and remember the heroes who made it sacred. We
can see water cascading into the footprints of the Twin Towers, and
gaze up at a new tower rising above the New York skyline.
And even though we may never be able to fully lift the burden carried
by those left behind, we know that somewhere, a son is growing up with
his father’s eyes, and a daughter has her mother’s laugh -- living
reminders that those who died are with us still.
So as painful as this day is and always will be, it leaves us with a
lesson that no single event can ever destroy who we are. No act of
terrorism can ever change what we stand for. Instead, we recommit
ourselves to the values that we believe in, holding firmly, without
wavering, to the hope that we confess.
That’s the commitment that we reaffirm today. And that’s why, when the
history books are written, the true legacy of 9/11 will not be one of
fear or hate or division. It will be a safer world; a stronger nation;
and a people more united than ever before.
God bless the memories of those we lost. And God bless these United States of America.
(Applause.)
END
No comments:
Post a Comment