For most of my life, for most of our lives, if someone asked about a solemn day in our history, I believe we would have said, “December 7, 1941.” On that Sunday morning at Pearl Harbor, America=s history changed forever, and the world would never again be the same.

Today, I suppose most of us would say that if we were to name a date imbedded in our memory — a solemn day of infamy—it would be September 11, 2001. For on that day our world changed again in ways many of us thought unimaginable. The surprise attack without warning was even greater than that in 1941. The targets of this wanton terrorism were men, women and children at their workplace, or on a domestic flight for vacation or business. The brutal disregard for innocent human life, the vivid images of sheer horror, are unequaled in our nation’s history and are certainly among the lowest points in the history of civilization. None of us will ever forget where we were when we learned of the airliner crashing into the World Trade Center, and as we watched the tragedies in New York, at the Pentagon, and in the fields of Pennsylvania.

To someone who served in combat zones during the Vietnam War and Desert Storm, and had the high privilege and awesome responsibility of commanding American men and women in uniform, September 11 is a reminder that this country must remain ever vigilant. We know the historical cycle of peace and war continues unabated. The relative peace we enjoyed after the end of the cold war has ended and we are again engaged in war, but a new kind of war.

In particular, today is about remembering our lost ones, our colleagues, our friends and our family members who were on those flights, or in the World Trade Center or at the Pentagon, particularly the names of those for whom the candles burn today. We honor them today and we honor the service of the many heroes who fought against all odds to rescue the innocent victims. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice, like the firemen who ran into the World Trade Center when everyone else was running out.

September 11 is about recognizing and supporting our men and women in uniform who have once again answered the call of duty and gone into harm’s way to protect all of us. As we gather together today in relative comfort, remember that they are on patrol or on watch in dangerous places around the world, separated from family and friends for months at a time.

We can all be proud of our nation. And of NOAA. NOAA stepped up to its commitment to serve the nation. Our law enforcement officers were immediately on the scene helping the FBI and state/local law enforcement. We helped jump-start the air marshal program. We flew overflights of ground zero with our technology. We provided models and expertise regarding hazardous materials.

Our weather forecast offices in Sterling, VA and New York provided site-specific forecasts to help in the recovery efforts. And we have moved to provide greater redundancy and security for our critical infrastructure.

We have looked at how NOAA can be of even greater service to our nation, such as by adapting NOAA weather radio for use in national emergencies and developing aerial dispersion models. I am proud—we can all be proud—of how NOAA serves America every day. . . and of what our agency has done and will continue to do.

Today we remember all the victims and heroes and honor their service, especially those who were our partners—Aerographer Mates Matthew Flocco and Edward Earhart, who were our colleagues at the National Ice Center; Joe Ferguson and Ann Judge of the National Geographic Society; and the six teachers and students from three Washington, DC schools, who were all excited about their first trip to our National Marine Sanctuary in California’s Channel Islands.

We remember, too, Marion Britton and Waleska Martinez, two employees of the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau in New York, who perished on September 11.

This is a day on which to especially value being an American—and living in a nation that guarantees freedom and puts a priority on human life. This is a day to recommit our selves to the spirit that made this country great—sentiments expressed on the colonial flag: “don’t tread on me!” This is a day to reaffirm that we will not be broken; that these terrible acts committed on American soil and to innocent Americans will never take away our dignity! They will never take away our values! And, they will never take away our willingness to help all peoples of the world achieve a quality of life that includes basic freedoms and economic opportunity!

Thank you for coming today…thank you for taking time from your all too busy schedules to join in reflecting how September 11 has affected all of us and our nation—and how it will continue to affect our lives in the years ahead.

Thank you for what you do for our nation… as dedicated public servants whose service provides a critical thread in the fabric of our economic and homeland security. Just as the poster hanging in NOAA offices around the country says: NOAA Serves America. I want you to know how proud I am to serve with you on behalf of this great nation. Thank you.