Reflecting on 9/11 and Its Lasting Impact

On September 11, 2001, shortly after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, I crossed the street to the Capitol amidst a chaotic scene.

Later, I joined my colleagues in the basement of the Capitol Hill Police headquarters for a briefing on the situation — what we knew and what might come next.

Tom Ridge, then President George W. Bush’s homeland security adviser, told us, “The only thing we know for sure is that they want to hit us again, and they want to hit us worse.”

Before 2001, the threat of radical Islamic terrorism was already ingrained in America’s narrative. The 1983 bombing of the Beirut barracks took the lives of 241 American servicemen. In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed over Lockerbie, Scotland, resulting in 270 fatalities, including 190 Americans. The first bombing of the World Trade Center occurred in 1993, claiming six lives and injuring more than a thousand, with terrorists attempting to topple one tower into another. By 1998, al-Qaeda’s attacks on our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania killed 224 individuals and injured thousands. Then, in 2000, al-Qaeda struck again, bombarding the USS Cole in Yemen and killing 17 American sailors.

In response, our government seemed to slip into complacency. Terrorists would attack, and Americans would mourn. Investigators chased after those responsible, security measures were tightened, and alerts became routine. Yet, life went on — until the next attack. Despite the courage and dedication of those combatting terrorism during that time, the United States largely reacted to events rather than proactively preventing them.

The events of September 11 transformed that cycle permanently. From the firefighters and police rushing into the Twin Towers, disregarding their own safety, to those who charged the cockpit of a plane over Pennsylvania, there was a newfound resolve among America’s defenders to confront our enemies directly.

After 9/11, the resolve emerged that we wouldn’t just seek justice after attacks, but rather prevent them from occurring in the first place, proactively engaging with threats abroad and strengthening our defenses at home.

Fast forward 25 years, and it’s essential to remember the heroes who emerged that day, as well as the countless Americans dedicated to maintaining that promise each day since.

In the wake of those attacks, many young people lined up outside military recruitment offices eager to serve. Nearly three million American servicemen and women have deployed in the ensuing wars. Over 7,000 sacrificed their lives, and tens of thousands were injured. They not only dismantled terrorist strongholds and hunted down al-Qaeda leaders but also brought Osama bin Laden to justice.

When ISIS established its brutal rule across significant territories in Iraq and Syria, American and allied forces responded, liberating vast areas and freeing millions from its tyranny.

But America’s defenders also operate closer to home. Some took on roles in law enforcement, thwarting potential terrorist threats on the domestic front, while others joined the Border Patrol, watching over the nation’s security, as air marshals protected the skies. Notably, in New York City, several children of FDNY firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11 have since joined the same fire department their fathers served.

The success of these efforts is reflected in what hasn’t transpired. The anticipated nightmare of a series of catastrophic terrorist attacks on American soil has not materialized.

It’s important to recognize that America’s defenders aren’t inactive; rather, they’ve been actively stopping threats. For 20 years, Americans have largely lived without the constant shadow of another September 11 looming over them.

This peace owes a debt to not only the well-known heroes but also to countless others whose names we may never know — those who served at home and abroad, those who returned injured, those who didn’t return at all, and those who continue to serve.

On this significant anniversary, let us honor the 2,977 innocent individuals who lost their lives to terrorism on September 11.

We should pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the prolonged struggle that unfolded after the attacks. Thanks to the heroes of that day and the many who followed, the American people continue to enjoy freedom and security. Let us express our gratitude as a nation to all who have stood guard to protect and defend America over the past 25 years.

As the founders proclaimed, eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. May we always remember and honor the sacrifices made by those who defend our homeland. And may we continuously remain vigilant in safeguarding the land we cherish. So help us, God.