September 11, 2001 brought terrorist attacks upon our nation. We commemorate those who perished in those attacks, and we honor the memory of those who have given their lives in the fight against terrorism since we chose to confront those who would destroy our way of life. The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan represent American will and resolve. They demonstrate a nation prepared to sacrifice its young people and resources so that democracy can triumph over tyranny. The tremendous cost we bear in our continued struggle stands as a profound testament to our character. Some among us question whether we should withdraw and move past this conflict. Others argue we must intensify our efforts to achieve ultimate victory of light over darkness. What requires no debate is that America represents the light while terrorists represent darkness. The courageous service members fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan have earned unprecedented respect from the American people. Their strength mirrors our strength. Their resolve reflects our resolve. The nation’s continued determination to pursue the enemy enables them to advance despite the dangers they face. We could follow the path taken by France after Hitler invaded Poland. The French believed their superior culture and military heritage made them stronger than Germany. Yet when the German assault came, the French lacked the will to resist. They prioritized their possessions and material wealth over heroism. The French military collapsed because it sensed the French people’s unwillingness to fight, their preference for preserving wealth over sacrifice. Rather than endure war, they surrendered their nation, their homes and farms, their factories and banks, their art and universities and beloved Paris to the Nazis. They believed they could coexist peacefully with Hitler’s regime. They thought they could negotiate better terms with the Nazis than with socialists who threatened their wealth. When the Nazis conquered France, they devastated the nation. By then it was too late for the French to recognize they should have fought. Americans face heavy taxation yet continue fighting those committed to our destruction. This struggle differs from previous conflicts our nation has faced because the enemy consists not of nations with standing armies but of terrorists who plot in shadows, appearing and disappearing like ghosts within civilian populations. They perpetrate atrocities against their own people and threaten to do the same to us. These are despicable individuals who endanger not only American Democracy but human civilization itself. America persists in this fight. We may debate its merits, but as a nation we possess backbone and a heritage of meeting our responsibilities. American soldiers and sailors venture forth each day, some making the ultimate sacrifice. Yet faith remains that American resolve and heroism can overcome the evil arrayed against us. A palpable energy flows through our people, reminiscent of Britain’s spirit after France fell, when the English sustained themselves through resolve and the conviction they would defeat the Nazis alone if necessary. Some Americans wish to ignore these realities. But most of us understand that we risk everything if we forget the lessons of 9/11. American resolve stands as our defense against the emerging terrorist-Muslim world. We give thanks for American resolve.
American Resolve – Remembering the anniversary of 9/11
