Eight years ago today America was shaken by an attack, rooted in hatred and aimed at striking at the very heart of our nation, that killed over 3,000 of our citizens. The al Qaeda terrorists hoped that their ruthless actions would undermine the United States. They failed. We showed strength where they expected weakness, unity where they expected division, and a firm resolve that lifted us out of the ashes and has protected our homeland for eight years and counting. We must never forget the tragedy of September 11th because we remain a nation at war with an enemy that will stop at nothing.

I believe that President Obama has acted wisely thus far in his management of the war in Afghanistan by rejecting calls for abandoning this mission prematurely. Our national security will be strengthened by the development of a strong and stable Afghan government that fights terrorists rather than harbors them. But there is much work to be done and we cannot grow tired in the midst of challenging times. Confronted with a resurgent Taliban, we must adapt to conditions on the ground and ensure that our generals have the resources they need to employ a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy. Doing so will both enable our troops abroad to wage war effectively and will make us safer here at home.

As President Bush told us shortly after September 11th, ‘we are fighting a different kind of war.’ It’s a war that will require our fullest resolve. As we honor those we lost eight years ago and those fighting overseas to keep us safe, let us be united as we were on that immeasurably sorrowful day.