“Eleven years ago today, American life was transformed by the horrifying attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania.  Those attacks that will remain in our minds forever took the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans.  

 

“The horrific aftermath of 9/11 bore a new America – a stronger America – where we witnessed a new level of steadfast and resolute pride.  We were victimized by terrorists, but Americans are not victims.  We demonstrated to the world that our way of life will not be dictated by anyone, and our love and pursuit of freedom will always trump evil.  

 

“But we will never forget.  Today we honor and mourn the innocent men, women, and children whose lives were lost that day.  We are forever indebted to the brave and heroic first responders who ran into burning and mangled buildings to save as many lives as they could without regard to their own safety.  These selfless men and women are nothing short of heroes.

 

“Those who seek to inflict terror on our country must know that they do so at their own peril.  Although their intent was to cripple the American way of life, the terrorists succeed only in unifying Americans and demonstrating our mighty strength on the world stage.”