Remembering Sept. 11

  • Published
  • By Col. Dean Clemons, Commander
  • 96th Air Base Wing
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Today marks the sixth anniversary of the day that changed the lives of all freedom-loving people. 

No one will ever forget where they were on Sept. 11, 2001. We all watched in horror as the deaths of innocent victims were flashed across televisions around the world. We were witnesses to the ultimate hate crime, not for doing something wrong, but for doing something right. Americans insist on living by the principles of freedom and democracy on which this nation was founded. Our attackers can't understand why this great country would guarantee every citizen freedom of religion, freedom to assemble, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. For that reason, 2,752 lives were lost. 

In a speech before a joint session of Congress Sept. 20, 2001, President George W. Bush told the military to "be ready" because the terrorist threat is unlike any conflict this country has fought. 

"The hour is coming when America will act, and you will make us proud," he said.
That hour has passed and virtually every unit at Eglin has been in the fight. You have made all of us proud. There is not one person living or working here who does not appreciate that there is a price to pay for freedom. We know the impact the Global War on Terror is taking in cost, time, separation from loved ones, and the ultimate sacrifice, the loss of life. I daresay these are sacrifices we all make gladly in memory of those killed in one senseless act of terror. 

In time, this war will end. But our remembrance never will. We will never forget the innocent victims who came from more than 100 countries, and from many races and religions or the brave heroes who died attempting to save them. We will never forget the devastated families and the grieving friends they left behind. As we prepare to deploy our next AEF rotation, our focus and our resolve must remain strong to meet the challenges that lie ahead for our great nation. We will not falter and we will not fail.
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