Today marks the 15th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and most likely, the U.S. Capitol, were it not for the bravery of those on Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. The day is now marked as Patriot Day, a day of service and remembrance for the almost 3,000 people who gave their lives.
From Senator Johnny Isakson:
From Senator David Perdue:
From Congressman Buddy Carter:
Today marks 15 years since the world changed forever on September 11, 2001. Fifteen years later I still remember the devastating moment when I heard the news of the unimaginable attacks as I’m sure many of you remember as well.
Every year on this day we remember and honor the victims at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and on Flight 93. We pray for the families of the victims who still face grief, heartbreak, and loss. We recognize the heroism of the first responders who wasted no time running into danger to save others. We come together to thank our veterans and servicemen and servicewomen on the front lines protecting us from terror.
Unfortunately, every year this day also serves as a reminder that terrorism is still alive today. We vowed back in 2001 to never let this happen again but continue to see terror grow at an unprecedented pace. We cannot allow time to dull what we felt that day or downplay the ever growing threats we face.
As President George W. Bush said, “America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that from shining.”
From Congressman Tom Price:
From Congressman Jody Hice:
From Congressman Tom Graves:
I’ll never forget where I was 15 years ago today. I was in my truck, leaving a job site in Cartersville, when the radio was interrupted with news that the north tower of the World Trade Center was on fire. I pulled over on the side of the road as the confusion of the situation developed, listening in shock. America was under attack.
As we quickly learned, the enemy was not a foreign country or a traditional army. It was a deranged group of ideologues who sought to sow fear through death and destruction. Militant Islamic terrorists had attacked some of our nation’s most iconic cities and landmarks.
We lost nearly 3,000 innocent lives that day. Children lost their parents. Husbands and wives lost their spouse. Brothers and sisters lost siblings. We all lost fellow Americans.
But still, as a nation, we refused to bow to terror. On September 11, 2001, Americans came together, united in our common values and strengthened by our resolve to overcome this new threat. We did not – and never will – let fear dictate our way of life. We carried on. We persevered.
In the heat of an election year and despite the continued challenges facing our nation, today let’s come together and remember that we’re all Americans. We will never let fear win. We will always persevere. We will always overcome. We are still a “shining city upon a hill.
From Secretary of State Brian Kemp: