Sep 10 2010
Skelton Statement on 9/11 Anniversary
Lexington, Mo.—
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton
(D-Mo.) released the following statement in advance of
tomorrow’s anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist
attacks:
“As we mark nine years since the 9/11
terrorist attacks, we have an obligation to remember
those who were killed and pay tribute to those who have
fought and died to protect our nation against further
terrorist attacks. Those who lost loved ones,
friends, and neighbors will never be able to replace
those whose lives were so brutally taken. We will
never know how much we lost as a nation when so many
lives were cut short, so many dreams and destinies left
unfulfilled.
“But we do know that in the wake of the 9/11
attacks, the world got to see America at its best
– a nation coming together and thousands of
patriots coming forward to serve and protect the United
States. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to
all of the first responders and military service
members who work every day to protect their fellow
citizens and keep our nation secure.
“Over the last two years, we have returned our
focus to the war in Afghanistan and made unprecedented
gains in our efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and
eventually defeat the terrorists who wish to harm us.
The United States and our allies have made
significant progress against al Qaeda and its
affiliated terrorist organizations, but it is important
for us to maintain our focus on this objective over the
long haul. America’s security depends on our
success in denying al Qaeda breathing room to plot
future attacks on the U.S. and our allies. As we
remember the fallen today, all of us must renew our
commitment to do all that is necessary to protect our
families, our communities, and our
nation.”
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