WASHINGTON, D.C.  -  Nearly seven years have passed since that tragic September morning that forever changed our country.

September 11th once again marks the anniversary of the day the World Trade Centers came crashing down in New York City, and the day when so many lost their lives at the Pentagon in Washington.

It was a day when a planeload of American heroes over rural Pennsylvania died to save others in its path. Our nation watched in horror.

These images are still vivid for most of us here in East Alabama.

As we reflect on this tragic day in our country’s history, known now as Patriot Day, it is important that we continue to remember all the brave Americans who lost their lives that day.

We should also keep the families of those innocent Americans in our prayers.

Every year, September 11th provides us another chance to honor all of our First Responders who died that day trying to save the lives of their fellow man.

It’s also a chance to thank those who are on the front lines every day for us here in rural East Alabama.

A few months back, the Homeland Security Committee came to Alabama to discuss the needs of our rural First Responders.

These brave folks said our rural responders deserve the same quality of training and equipment as their big city counterparts. They’re absolutely right, and Congress needs to keep working for them.

They also said they’re getting squeezed by high gas prices, just like all the rest of us. That’s true too, which is why we must become more energy independent.

The anniversary of this tragedy also helps remind us all that securing our porous borders with Mexico and Canada is a national security issue. 

Though the vast majority of the people who cross our borders illegally do so in search of a better life, our porous borders can also be exploited by those who may want to do us harm. Congress must not forget its commitment to secure our borders.

As we look back on September 11th, we should also continue to thank our men and women in uniform, and their families, who continue to sacrifice so much for our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Since we have been fighting these battles, more than 1,600 folks from our Alabama National Guard and Reserves have served overseas.

We are a safer and more secure nation because of their selfless service on behalf of us all.
And of course let us never forget the more than 4,700 Americans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our freedoms in these conflicts. They will always be in our prayers.

Please feel free to contact me with your concerns at www.house.gov/mike-rogers.