09/11/2026
We remember today, as we do every year, to mark a date that is forever etched into the consciousness of our nation: September 11, 2001.
For those old enough to remember, the memory remains vivid. It was a bright, clear Tuesday morning, a quintessential late summer day that promised normalcy. And then, in a few terrifying hours, our world changed forever.
We remember where we were when the towers fell, when the Pentagon was struck, and when the brave souls of Flight 93 forced their plane into a Pennsylvania field, sacrificing themselves to save countless others.
On that day, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, turning them into weapons against our way of life. But they did not just attack buildings; they attacked the very notion of freedom, democracy, and peace. Nearly 3,000 innocent lives were taken—men, women, and children from every walk of life, every race, and many nations.
The imagery of that day was horrific. We saw the destruction of steel and glass, the smoke rising over New York and Washington D.C., and a nation momentarily paralyzed by shock.
Yet, amidst the darkness, we saw a profound light. We saw it in the immediate, selfless bravery of the first responders—the firefighters, police officers, and port authority workers—who ran into the burning towers while others were running out. We saw it in the passengers of Flight 93 who chose to fight back.
We remember those who died—the individuals who went to work, boarded planes, or simply lived their lives—and we honor their memory. And we hold close the families who have lived without their loved ones for over two decades. The void they feel is deep, and the loss is immeasurable.
But what defines 9/11 is not just the tragedy; it is the response.
As President Bush said on that evening, "Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve".
In the days and weeks following, the partisan divides that often mark our nation evaporated. We saw Americans coming together, blood donation centers overflowing, and flags appearing on homes and cars across the country. We recognized that we were not just Republicans or Democrats, but Americans—united in grief and unified in purpose.
That resilience was the true answer to the cowardice of that day. We refused to be defined by fear. We chose to move forward, to honor the fallen by continuing to live in freedom.
As the years pass, the memories of that day may fade for some, particularly for the generation born after 2001. That is why it is our responsibility to teach the lessons of 9/11.
It is a reminder that freedom is not free, as many have sacrificed to protect it. It is a testament to the fact that evil can exist in the world, but that it can be overcome by unity, strength, and a dedication to the ideals of democracy.
We also honor the countless first responders and survivors who have battled health issues in the years since, continuing the long story of sacrifice that this day represents.
In closing, we look back to look forward. We look at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and the countless memorials across this country, which serve as a pledge: We will never forget.
We promise to keep the victims in our hearts. We promise to remember the heroes. And we promise to uphold them, as the late George W. Bush stated, "all that is good and just in our world".
Let us leave here today renewed in our commitment to our community and our nation. Let us cherish our freedoms and carry forward the spirit of unity that defined our finest hour.
God bless the memory of those we lost, Bless our first responders, Bless Mississippi, and God Bless these United States of America.
