September 11 Speech

2002, Civic Plaza

I believe in good and evil. A year ago today, bent on destroying our nation and our freedom, the forces of evil struck within our borders killing over 3,000 of our brothers and sisters, our fellow Americans. As a principle of my personal faith, I believe that good will always ultimately prevail over evil. And I believe that America is an inately good nation and that we are an inherently good people.

Throughout the day, on our Civil Plaza and across the country, fellow Americans have been reading the names of those who lost their lives, both as innocent victims and in accord with the highest calling, to help save the innocent. Those killed included virtually every faith, perhaps every philosophy and many, many nations. The mettle of thousands of Americans was tested and heroes emerged across our land. Contemplate for a moment if you will the hundreds of firefighters and police officers who never came home on September 11th because they did their jobs. Passengers aboard flight # 93, together with the courageous crew banded together and chose to die in a Pennsylvania field rather than aid evildoers in further attacks against our homeland. We will never know for sure how many Americans were saved by their selfless sacrifice.

It is entirely appropriate that we gather here this afternoon. Ours is a free and open society. And so often, we take our liberties for granted. We are reminded today that the rights and opportunities affored us under our constitution are fragile and that freedom is not free. They must be defended at every juncture and at any cost. And it is perhaps appropriate that so many have gathered in the rain. Each drop is a tear drop from heaven. Heaven weeps for the hatred that has been inflicted upon us. At the same time, the rain represents healing and renewal. Today is an opportunity to heal as a people. We will be drawing lessons for decades from September 11. These things we do know --- government does matter and we are far better united than divided.

If you would, please join hands with your fellow Americans for just a moment. Join me in a moment of silence, whatever your faith, whatever your philosophy, in your own personal remembrance of those who are no longer with us as a result of the attack on our nation a year ago today. Thank you.

The perpetrators of hatred and evil thought that they could successfully test our resolve, that we had grown complacent in our freedom. But the ties that bind us together as Americans will never be broken. The colors of our flag -the red, the white and the blue - are colors that don't run. Though we are young as a nation, we are wise and mature as a people. Let us teach our children well the value, the glory, the greatness of America. And let us not forget on this holy day that as we speak, fellow Americans stand directly in harms way to defend us. We are a nation at war. We will not rest until the life of every American lost is avenged and those who attacked us are brought to justice, American justice. Never again should any evildoer believe that we can be attacked within our sacred borders.

Today, we are truly one nation, united in our sorrow but united as well in our resolve to preserve our freedom against any and all who intend us harm. Our president has spoken. We will fear. We will not falter. We will not fail. We will not forget. God bless America.