There are events that have occurred in our lifetimes that become engrained in our minds. We often ask ourselves, “Where were you when Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon?” And over the last 21 years, I am sure many of us asked ourselves, “Where were you when the planes flew into the World Trade Center towers, and into the Pentagon, or into a Pennsylvania field?” Those of us who witnessed the planes flying into the World Trade Center on TV – that image, I will suggest, will be engrained in our memories forever.
On September 11 we saw fire fighters running into a burning building as everyone else was running out. On September 11 we saw the loyalty among fire fighters as they searched for their own within the tons of rubble. On September 11 we saw perfect strangers bond together in self-sacrifice, to deny the terrorists flying over Pennsylvania to complete their mission. On September 11 we heard men and women who knew of their imminent demise spend their final moments telling their families how much they loved them.
As General Casey said when he took the reigns as our former Chief of Staff of the Army … “We are locked in a war against a global extremist network that is fixed on defeating the United States and destroying our way of life. This foe will not go away nor will they give up easily, and the next decade will likely be one of persistent conflict. At stake are the power of our values and our civilization, exemplified by the promise of America, to confront and defeat the menace of extremist terrorists. At stake is whether the authority of those who treasure the rights of free individuals will stand firm against the ruthless and pitiless men who wantonly slay the defenseless. At stake is whether the future will be framed by the individual freedoms we hold so dear or dominated by a demented form of extremism. At stake is whether we will continue to expand freedom, opportunity, and decency for those who thirst for it, or let fall the darkness of extremism and terror.”
I was in the Pentagon on 9/11, and one of my sons who was still living at home was in high school that day, wondering what happened to his dad and whether he was still alive. That incident drove him to ask many questions about who did this? And why did they do it? And what did they believe in? Like so many other young men and women in America, he felt helpless watching what happened, and was driven to want to do something about it. He too, entered military service like so many other Americans of his generation.
Whether he welcomed it or not, he was now a member of this new 9/11 generation – a generation that saw their country attacked and internalized the fact that our very way of life was at risk, and they volunteered to serve their country to do something about it. The men and women of the 9/11 generation come from different backgrounds, but they were drawn together with a common purpose to serve their country and to preserve our way of life. They all volunteered to serve – knowing full well that they would be sent into harm’s way to confront the enemies of our nation on obscure battlefields halfway around the world.[1] They had seen 9/11 and war in the aftermath up close and personal, and many have lost brothers and sisters, and friends, who have paid the ultimate price in sacrifice for our country. They are living history – the history of war, and the consequences of war. The war General Casey talked about was in their face every day.
The so-called pundits that cite America is failing and falling behind have not witnessed this generation in action. I was fortunate to be there with them, both in preparation for war, and in the crucible of war. As I’ve watched them, they never quenched, nor waivered, and never faltered – they quietly counted themselves among the generations that have gone before them, and they willingly placed themselves in the gap between the evil of 9/11 and our way of life. I have seen their courage, intelligence and determination first hand. The simple fact that America is able to produce such a magnificent and dynamic generation is proof positive[2] our country’s future leadership is in sound hands. When I hear those who complain about what’s wrong with America, I invite them to reflect on this generation and what they have done for our country when they were needed the most.
This generation of Americans is really a reflection of the people of the United States. They are an all-volunteer force, made up of citizens from all walks of life from all corners of our nation. They are a microcosm of our society, where all our country’s races, faiths or no faith, sexual orientations and creeds equally share in the task of defending our nation and its Constitution. They are our neighbors, friends and relatives – all of whom have answered America’s call to service during a time of war, who wear the cloth of our nation and every day say “Send Me!”.[3] They live the principles and values that our nation holds dear.
Many in America don’t yet fully realize the incredible value and impact that this 9/11 generation has had, and will continue to have on our society. But that’s OK…they’d want it no other way, for they’re a humble, resilient and focused generation. President George H.W. Bush said “If anyone tells you that America’s best days are behind her, they’re looking the wrong way.” [4] You can’t help but increase your faith in America when you hang around these men and women.
And 50 years from now, their grandchildren will read in their history books about[5] the 9/11 generation. A truly selfless and humble generation, who’s men and women had served to protect the free world from tyranny and evil. For they restored freedom and inspired hope where it did not exist. They had confronted and repulsed extremism, violence and exclusion in all corners of the world. Much like generations before them, they seek to protect, defend and advocate for the downtrodden and defenseless. They are indeed a reflection of what America stands for.[6]
History will gloriously record their service and their sacrifice to our country. And they have no idea the honor it was for an old guy like me to have stood among their ranks and consider them brothers and sisters in arms.
To the families and friends of our fallen fellow Americans of 9/11 – as well as our fallen colleagues and comrades in Iraq and Afghanistan – Shelly and I extend our deepest sympathy and condolences. We pray that God will give some share of the peace that now belongs to those we lost, and to those who knew and loved them in this life.
But above all of this, Americans will remember the true legacy of 9/11: That values such as duty, and honor, and country still hold strong places in our national conscience. That love of family, of country, and of humankind, remain foremost in our hearts and minds. And that a 9/11 generation has risen to serve our country when our nation needed them the most, despite what our enemies and detractors would say.
These are the true lessons and legacy of September 11. We are duty bound to remember it.