Good evening. Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge -- huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong.
A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. Today, our nation saw evil -- the very worst of human nature -- and we responded with the best of America. With the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.
Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington D.C. to help with local rescue efforts. Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks. The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.
The search is underway for those who were behind these evil acts. I have directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.
I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance. America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.
Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a Power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.
This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.Thank you. Good night. And God bless America.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
President Bush's 9/11 Speech
I remeber watching this speech and feeling calmed. Feeling like our country was in good hands. I NEVER get that feeling from the current president's speeches. I wanted to share this because I think its an important part of our history and that day.
9 Years Later
Has it really been that long?? It seems almost impossible, and it also seems like it never really happened. I can remember so many details about that day. It's unreal how easily I can recall exactly where I was when I heard the news and exactly what happened next.
I had missed school the day before and I had missed a test in my Bible class. I had gone into the school library to take the test and was a few questions into it. Suddenly, an announcement came over the intercom saying the World Trade Center had been attacked. I have to be honest, I had NO idea what or where the WTC was. My teacher quickly called me back into the room and we all sat in the class room quietly talking about what could possibly be going on, what the WTC was, who new someone near it, ect. My teacher quickly got on the phone to talk to the principle and find out what was going on. Shortly after the bell rang and I remember the hallways being so quiet. Although at that point none of us truely knew what this meant, we all knew it was bad and we all felt it. Our next class was Government and our teacher in there had the radio on. I remember watching her try to hold back the tears in her eyes as she explained what was happening. It was at that point that I knew this was BIG, this was life changing. Someday my kids would be reading about this in their history books and I would be able to tell them my experience. By now fear was hitting people, especially as the news began to tell of the second tower being hit, the pentagon, and then the crash in PA. A good friend of mine began sobbing because it seemed that the planes were getting closer and no one knew how many there were. We were all scared. I remember hearing a small plane fly overhead, a common occurance when you are down the road from a small airport, and being terrified that it was going to slam into the school. Rumors started flying around the school. Things like "Gas was up to $10 a gallon now", "So and so's relative works in one of the Twin Towers", "We won't be allowed to leave school and might have to spend the night". Typical High School rumors in situations like this. I believe we were released early that day. Terrified parents wanted their kids with them at a time like this. From the moment I got home from school and until I went to bed I watched the news. I sat there looking at these flaming buildings that I didn't even know existed before now, knowing that this was bad. Very bad.
Unfortunately, I didn't in anyway realize just how much that day would affect me. I knew it meant changes for the country as a whole, but I never thought it would impact my life much more than anyone else around me. I knew that from now on September 11th would be a day of rememberance, burden, and sadness. I hurt for those that lost loved ones. I felt sad and I cried. Other than that, I figured my life would go on and not be deeply touched. I was beyond wrong. A new war started and before I knew it I had an Uncle fighting over there. Even at that point, I still didn't "get it". I knew it was dangerous, but I didn't fully understand a deployment. Then my boyfriend joined the Army and soon after became my fiance. On February 28, 2008, the 9/11 attack of 2001 finally had its biggest impact on me. Payton was off to Iraq for a year to fight this war that started 7 years before. I think it was at that point that I became the most angry at what had happened years earlier. I wanted more than ever to know why they did it, how this could have happened....all the typical questions. It was a long year full of worry and fear. I thank God often that he protected my Soldier and brought hm back to us safely. I also thank God that he protected my Uncle who has now served 3 tours of duty in Iraq. Also, various other family members who have been overseas. I thank God for my Aunt Sandy and the great support she was while Payton was deployed. He and my uncle were there at the same time, and it was amazing to have a family member who knew exactly what I was going through.
September 11, 2001 will never, ever be forgotten. It's just not possible. It taught me that life is short, we as Americans still face dangers, and things that happen in your life can impact you in ways you never imagined, even years down the road. It taught me to be thankful for what I have, and it also taught me to trust God more than I ever did before. When your "safe" country is attacked, and then people you love are in the middle of a war...well what else can you do but trust God?
Today I pray for the families of those that were lost on that day. I pray for our government, especially those in charge of making the decisions about the military and homeland security. Mostly, I pray for our troops. I pray God keeps them safe and brings them all back to their loved ones. I pray for those that have lost someone in this war, even just as recently as this past week. May God bless those families and give them the strength they need to deal with their loss!
I had missed school the day before and I had missed a test in my Bible class. I had gone into the school library to take the test and was a few questions into it. Suddenly, an announcement came over the intercom saying the World Trade Center had been attacked. I have to be honest, I had NO idea what or where the WTC was. My teacher quickly called me back into the room and we all sat in the class room quietly talking about what could possibly be going on, what the WTC was, who new someone near it, ect. My teacher quickly got on the phone to talk to the principle and find out what was going on. Shortly after the bell rang and I remember the hallways being so quiet. Although at that point none of us truely knew what this meant, we all knew it was bad and we all felt it. Our next class was Government and our teacher in there had the radio on. I remember watching her try to hold back the tears in her eyes as she explained what was happening. It was at that point that I knew this was BIG, this was life changing. Someday my kids would be reading about this in their history books and I would be able to tell them my experience. By now fear was hitting people, especially as the news began to tell of the second tower being hit, the pentagon, and then the crash in PA. A good friend of mine began sobbing because it seemed that the planes were getting closer and no one knew how many there were. We were all scared. I remember hearing a small plane fly overhead, a common occurance when you are down the road from a small airport, and being terrified that it was going to slam into the school. Rumors started flying around the school. Things like "Gas was up to $10 a gallon now", "So and so's relative works in one of the Twin Towers", "We won't be allowed to leave school and might have to spend the night". Typical High School rumors in situations like this. I believe we were released early that day. Terrified parents wanted their kids with them at a time like this. From the moment I got home from school and until I went to bed I watched the news. I sat there looking at these flaming buildings that I didn't even know existed before now, knowing that this was bad. Very bad.
Unfortunately, I didn't in anyway realize just how much that day would affect me. I knew it meant changes for the country as a whole, but I never thought it would impact my life much more than anyone else around me. I knew that from now on September 11th would be a day of rememberance, burden, and sadness. I hurt for those that lost loved ones. I felt sad and I cried. Other than that, I figured my life would go on and not be deeply touched. I was beyond wrong. A new war started and before I knew it I had an Uncle fighting over there. Even at that point, I still didn't "get it". I knew it was dangerous, but I didn't fully understand a deployment. Then my boyfriend joined the Army and soon after became my fiance. On February 28, 2008, the 9/11 attack of 2001 finally had its biggest impact on me. Payton was off to Iraq for a year to fight this war that started 7 years before. I think it was at that point that I became the most angry at what had happened years earlier. I wanted more than ever to know why they did it, how this could have happened....all the typical questions. It was a long year full of worry and fear. I thank God often that he protected my Soldier and brought hm back to us safely. I also thank God that he protected my Uncle who has now served 3 tours of duty in Iraq. Also, various other family members who have been overseas. I thank God for my Aunt Sandy and the great support she was while Payton was deployed. He and my uncle were there at the same time, and it was amazing to have a family member who knew exactly what I was going through.
September 11, 2001 will never, ever be forgotten. It's just not possible. It taught me that life is short, we as Americans still face dangers, and things that happen in your life can impact you in ways you never imagined, even years down the road. It taught me to be thankful for what I have, and it also taught me to trust God more than I ever did before. When your "safe" country is attacked, and then people you love are in the middle of a war...well what else can you do but trust God?
Today I pray for the families of those that were lost on that day. I pray for our government, especially those in charge of making the decisions about the military and homeland security. Mostly, I pray for our troops. I pray God keeps them safe and brings them all back to their loved ones. I pray for those that have lost someone in this war, even just as recently as this past week. May God bless those families and give them the strength they need to deal with their loss!
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